Introducing e-governance in Bangladesh is a public demand to ensure good governance, corruption-free government, simplification of government functions, transparency and accountability of the government and effective delivery of public services at the people's doorstep. The demand also relates to decreasing the gap between the government and its citizens and ensuring some fundamental rights (right to information, freedom of speech and expression) of the people. One must not deny the fact that there have been some commendable initiatives taken by the present government in this direction in materialising one of its key election promises for establishing what it dubbed 'Digital Bangladesh'.
In 2000, the establishment of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) task force prompted the first national ICT policy in Bangladesh in 2002, and subsequently in 2010. Though in 2006, Access to Information Programme (A2I) was put to effect as a long-term development in ICT sectors, a national vision for 'Digital Bangladesh', the ultimate aim of which is to establish e-governance by ensuring the use of ICT in every sector of the government, was projected by the Awami League in its 2008 election manifesto.
The legal basis of e-governance has been ensured by the enactment of Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006. Section-8 of the ICT Act-2006 legalises the use of electronic records and electronic signatures in government papers and those of relevant agencies, especially for filling in of any form, application or any other documents involving any office, authority, body or agency owned or controlled by the government. The Section was also made applicable to the issuance or granting of licences, permits, sanctions, approvals or orders; and the receipt or payment of money in a particular manner. Section-10 of the ICT Act-2006 has legalised the use of electronic gadgets for the publication of laws, rules, regulations, orders and notifications by the government. This has facilitated government agencies like the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) to introduce online and mobile-based application process (filling in of forms, getting admit cards, payment of exam fees, having information about examination centres and getting results) for the BCS exams. Some public universities are also handling the job of admission quite efficiently through online or mobile-based programmes. On the financial front, Bangladesh Bank has approved mobile banking by 25 banks that brings banking services within the people's reach. According to Bangladesh Bank, there are about six million account holders, and around Tk 350 million is transacted daily through mobile banking in the country. Recently, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced electronic TIN (tax identification number) for submission of income tax returns.
These electronic services have a legal basis as those based on paper. To ensure the citizens' right to information as guaranteed in our Constitution, Sections 14-17 of the Information Act-2009 contain the provisions relating to the use of information technology such as electronic tracking system, electronic signatures, software, e-mail and websites in order to manage and disseminate information.
According to Section-16 of this Act, gradually every government entity shall establish e-mail as a mode of communication. Section-17 of this Act states that the authorities concerned shall have websites, in which up-to-date information, reports, tender information, necessary Laws and Acts of the relevant authorities are to be presented using the same kinds of software. At present, most ministries and public offices have their own websites -- a first step towards ensuring people's right to know about job circulars, recent news, laws, Acts etc., related to them.
The government has established 4501 Union Information and Services Centres (UISCs) that facilitate mobile phone banking, payment of electricity bills etc. Besides, these centres put up various government forms, notifications, store birth and death registrations, display public examination results, university admission procedures.
Electronic filing of general diaries (GDs) and toll-free and mobile phone-based legal advices can prove highly effective in removing much of the hassles people face usually, putting legal services at the citizens' doorsteps. Publishing cause-lists and case updates on the internet and making them mobile phone and SMS-enabled will increase transparency of the judicial process and reduce the citizens' unnecessary trouble.
National e-Government Procurement (e-GP) portal (http://eprocure.gov.bd) of the government has been developed to ensure equal access to the bidders and bringing efficiency, transparency and accountability in the public procurement process in the country. There are about a total of 182 registered bidders and more bidders and consultants of various ministries, departments, divisions and agencies are waiting for registration with e-GP system.
Digitalisation in various sectors promises to bring government services close to the people. If properly executed, it will cut down cost and time, and reduce corruption and hazards in getting service. Over and above, it will cause a sea change in the mindset of the government functionaries.
'Digital Bangladesh' was an election commitment of the present government. But it should not remain confined to a pledge of the ruling party only. Rather it should be the commitment of all political parties and it ought to be the fundamental state policy for those who will be in power in future. E-governance must be ensured and every political party, whichever is going to come to power next, must push the programme forward.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Md Jahangir Alam
Quelle/Source: Financial Express Bangladesh, 07.09.2013
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