'Digital Bangladesh'
More said than done

MD Hasan

The move to allow e-banking is one of the revolutionary steps taken by the present government under its 'Digital Bangladesh' vision while people will have to wait only six months for online shopping.

Bill payment through mobile, port automation, e-centre, introducing e-governance (partially), establishing computer labs in 128 educational institutions, getting public examination results through short message service (SMS) and introducing university admission process through SMS are some other significant moves taken by the government in its first year.

The initiatives to make post office be automated and connect Bangladesh with at least three more submarine cables, e-governance, e-commerce, massive broadband access and e-parliament are expected to get shape by 2010.

Although the major initiatives of the government regarding building a digital Bangladesh are yet to visualise, people enthusiasm to become technology fond is expected to get a big shape this year.

"People now want to work with the government and want to know about what the government is doing. The technical supports we have so far provided in the name of digital Bangladesh have been accepted by people," said Yeafesh Osman, state minister for Science and ICT.

Even rural people are now likely to take advantages of digital technology, said Osman, adding that monthly income of the operators of government's e-centre is about Tk 30,000 which proves people's eagerness to use technology.

The idea is like that people will be empowered through technology, transparency, accountability and good governance at all levels, he said.

The government will provide services to people doorsteps through technology. Education, health, employment and poverty reduction will be ensured by technology.

Computer is just a medium in the process, Osman said.

'Digital Bangladesh' was one of the major ideas of the Awami League-led present government during its election campaign. It evolved when the sitting prime minister conducted her election campaign through video conferencing.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is set to introduce video conferencing in the administration level by June 2010. Under the initiative, the prime minister can talk to officials at district and upazila levels through video conferencing.

Munir Hasan, senior ICT consultant to the PMO, said through video conferencing the government is going to introduce e-democracy whereas mass people and government officials could share views with the prime minister.

To make a paperless administration, the PMO is going to introduce digital signature soon. The proposal of introducing digital signature is under the consideration of finance ministry.

The high-tech park authority act is under the consideration of the ministry of law. The government has taken a plan to establish an ICT university under public-private partnership at the high-tech park, which is expected to be built at Kaliakoir in Gazipur.

As per the government's plan to educate the next generation with technology, there is a plan for setting up computer lab at the secondary school level by 2013. All primary schools will be equipped with computer labs by 2021.

The present government set up 14 union information centres, 20 agriculture information centres and 21 fisheries information centres. These centres are equipped with computer and internet so that people can get information through internet.

The government has already approved the ICT Policy-2009 and disseminated 306 working plans among 39 ministries for implementation.

Zia Ahmed, chairman of BTRC, said they are focusing on technology-based connectivity to the people at affordable cost. "People will get benefits of our initiatives by 2010 as our maximum plans will be executed by this period."

As per BTRC plan, Bangladesh will be connected with two submarine cables and one terrestrial links by 2010. "During the first year of the present government, we sketched out our plans. The plans will be implemented this year," he added.

However, power crisis remains as a major hurdle for going massive digitalisation.

Habibullah N Karim, president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (Basis), found two disappointing things during the period. No meeting of National ICT taskforce, which is headed by prime minister, has taken place yet. Another disappointment is severe lack of coordination in planning side.

"The government should disclose IT centric plans in the first year so that everyone can understand what actually is going to happen under the digital Bangladesh campaign," said Karim.

The overall initiative he termed as 'stepping- stone', and its benefits could be seen in 2010.