DHAKA: The Government is going to introduce online ‘one-stop service’ in all districts by December, starting from next month, under its flagship agenda for digitizing Bangladesh.

Jessore comes first under the quick-service system, allowing people to get all government services at district level and certified copy of land records using internet from the first of September under a pilot scheme.

Once this service is open, citizens will be able to submit application for any service and file complaints from home using internet, as the project gives more emphasis on digitization, that is, email-oriented service, instead of the antiquated paperwork widely reputed as ‘red tape’.

A one-stop-service desk will be set up at Deputy Commissioner’s office that will receive citizens’ applications for services and give them a code number to check on the internet or telephone the progress in the delivery of a service sought.

Deputy Commissioner of Jessore Nurul Amin Monday told banglanews24.com.bd, “We have prepared all the logistics to kick off the service which will drop off people’s sufferings and corruption at DC office.”

He regretted that whenever people visit the DC office for any service, they do not receive enough attention from the officials, have to move from table to table and “pay bribes”.

Service providing from one station will cut down all hassles. Service-seekers will not have to interact with any official but the front desk. Anyone can get any information from their homes by using the Internet.

Access to Information (A2I) Program under Prime Ministers’ Office is playing the coordinating role in implementing the one-stop-service project.

Coordinator of the project and field administration expert of A2I Md. Mustafizur Rahman told BanglaNews24.com.bd that the system will be introduced in all the districts by December upon successful outcome of the piloting in Jessore.
 
He also said that a sub-desk under one-stop service will be established at the UNO office at Upazilla level to enable people lodge their complaints and submit applications.  

“People suffer mostly to get certified copy of land records as they have to come several times to get it--often having to bribe the clerks. One-stop service will help them best,” he added.

Describing the modern process of getting certified copy, Mustafizur Rahman said, “After applying online for certified copy, primarily people will have to send court fee by post and then authorized officer will send certified copy the same way. But, in the future, we will introduce system of receiving court fee through mobile.”  

Finally, this project will lead to automation of government offices at district level. All official tasks of deputy commissioner office will be digitized, in keeping with this government’s major objective of building up a ‘digital Bangladesh’.   

BDST:  HRS 0158. August 17, 2010