The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The ministry of information yesterday refuted the report published in a national daily in the yesterday's issue and said the ministry has made many epoch- making achievements during the tenure of the present government.

A spokesman of the information ministry brushed aside the report and said there is no scope for feeling shy to move files by the joint secretaries to the secretary of the ministry as all the files are disposed of as per the secretariat istructions- 2008.

There is no backlog of the files in the ministry, he said adding the report of frustration among information cadres on the activities of the ministry is completely false and fabricated. About 70 officials, who are working at different offices under the ministry, have got promotion in the last one year. About the vacancies in the ministry, the spokesman said the ministry of information already has requested the ministry of establishment to fill up the vacant posts. Officers in these posts are expected to be recruited very soon, he added.

The spokesman said there is no existence of any syndicate in the ministry and there is no scope for running it by the decision of any particular person. The ministry functions as a team work as per government rules.

Listing the progress of the activities of the ministry during the period of the incumbent secretary, the spokesman said the promulgation of the Right to Information Ordinance, implementation of the Seventh Wage Board Award and formulation of the advertisement policy and its execution are significant achievements of the government, which were possible due to relentless efforts by officials and employees of all levels.

He said the government during the short period of time also formulated the community radio policy, took steps to give the national film award of the last six years to the recipients, stopped exhibition of the obscene films, increasing revenue incomes of the BTV and brought diversity to the news presentation and programmes of the state-run television.

Besides, the ministry has undertaken steps to strengthen the activities of PID, DFP, Film Archive, PIB, FDC and National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC).

The issue of providing autonomy for Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV) are now under active consideration of the government, he said.

He said an additional secretary is being given additional charge as the Director General of the BTV. Due to sensitiveness and importance of the post, the government has a plan to appoint a full-time DG in the BTV very soon.

According to the government rules and regulations, a secretary can never show any vengeance or favour to any cadre, he said adding, all postings and transfers in the ministry are done by the ministry of establishment.

The spokesman blasted the press report that the information secretary and his personal secretary have political affiliation saying the allegations are unfounded and motivated.

Clarifying the duties of the information secretary in the film censor board, the spokesman said as the chairman of board, the presence of the secretary in the board meeting is obligatory by the law. The board under the leadership of the incumbent secretary has made immense success in curving obscenity and piracy in the films.

"The secretary attends the meeting of the censor board after office hours as the board meetings are held two days in a week after 5 pm to 9 pm. So, it's very unfortunate to bring the allegation of 'negligence of duties' against the secretary," he said adding the honourarium that the members of the board receive for their work is very insignificant comparing to their duties they discharge.

The spokesman denied that the ministry has issued any official order asking the officials not to leave the office until the secretary's departure. He said the remarks made in the report against the additional secretary of the ministry are also completely false and motivated, he said, adding there is no departmental case against the additional secretary.

The spokesman said it's also untrue that the ministry has barred to two secretaries preventing them from taking part in any BTV programme. The ministry of information is completely unaware about it.

The spokesman further said the information ministry did not issued any order compelling the officers and the staff to stay beyond the office hours. Regarding the submission of a report on the BTV's autonomy by the additional secretary, he clarified that the report is in the final stage and to be submitted to the ministry any time.

The spokesman further denied any dispute between the ministry of information and the BIWTA.