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THE?CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH? : Link not Working (http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/index.htm)

(As modified up to 17 May, 2004)

What about Digital Bangladesh ? Mind it .

Are?the Goverment Organizations not working as per the Vision of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina ? Or lack of capability ? What is the factor ?or what are the factors ?

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On being a member, Bangladesh has achieved the voting power to make necessary additions of Bangla letters to be used in various devices of science, information and communication technology (ICT) and to develop the language standard.

Unicode is an internationally recognised system by which any language can be used in different digital devices like mobile phone and computer.

Earlier, only India had the voting right in the consortium about the Bangla language.

The ICT ministry with the personal interest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the initiative of being a member of the consortium last year.

Bangladesh was declared an institutional member on June 30 this year following an application by the ministry on March 18, 2009.

The Unicode Bangla text has already been initiated in many government offices under the supervision of `Accesses to Information (A2I)’ programme, operated by the Prime Minister’s office.

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Preparation is going on in full swing to hold the census in five days in March next year, said the chief of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

Digital enumeration maps and the computerized geo-coding system will be used to collect the data and disseminate results simultaneously in hard and soft formats as well as on the web
page, BBS Director General Md Shahjahan Ali Mollah told BSS today.

He said over 70,000 maps, made by aerial photographs, containing each mouja and union across the country would be used in conducting the census.

To conduct the census, Bangladesh will be divided into 3,30,000 enumeration areas, each with about 120 households, the BBS chief said adding it will engage 2,700 zonal officers, 530 upazila or thana coordinators, 120 district, 35 regional and 10 divisional coordinators.

There will be 60,000 supervisors to be selected from the local educated youths to work across the country. One supervisor will be engaged for 6 to 7 enumerators in data collection.

The census will be conducted in three phases. The first one will be the main census for collecting basic characteristics of all households and population of the country.

In the second phase, post-enumeration quality check will be
conducted to determine the coverage and content error of the main
census.

Thirdly, a sample census-collection of data from about one percent household with a long questionnaire on detailed socio- economic characteristics will be done to supplement the main census.

Bangladesh has a long history of census. The first one was conducted in this territory in 1872. Since then censuses have
been conducted in every 10 years.

The present government has taken a number of steps to strengthen the capacity of the state-run BBS to conduct the population and housing census.

The Statistics Division has been geared up to produce and provide better data, the DG said. “Everybody will have their photographs, fingerprints in digital format to promote digital Bangladesh by 2021.”

According to the election pledge of the government, he said, the prime minister is keen to establish a national population register (NPR) and citizens’ database for everyone of the country.

Ensuring reliable data, he said, the US Census Bureau is providing modern software and scanner while the European Union (EU) and UNFPA are giving financial assistance side by side with the Bangladesh government.

Of the total funding for conducting the population and housing census-2011, Mollah said the government is providing about Taka 145 crore while the EU and UNFPA Taka 102 crore.

The amount is enough for holding the census-2011, not for NPR activities, he said.

The director general said census is considered a vital mechanism for providing an adequate data set on the population at all levels of the administrative units as it provides the basis for sound and informed policy making.

“Quality data is essential to improve people’s lives,” he said adding that it would provide population size, growth, composition and distribution for the projection of food, education, infrastructure, employment, health care and assessment of various other basic requirements as well as analysis of past, present and future growth of population.

The BBS chief said all types of print and electronic media will be used for census like television tell-off, radio jingle, news paper supplement, discussion, census film, poster and banner and it will continue for six months starting from October 2010.

Geocoding/Mapping System

The? Geocoding/Mapping System is a web-based tool designed to help financial institutions meet the legal requirement to report information on mortgage, business, and farm loans. Geocoding refers to the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), State, County, Census Tract combination (address information) that must be provided for each reported loan. The system allows institutions to enter a street address, and it then determines the census tract. When an address is not found, the mapping feature enables the user to determine the property location based on known landmarks without resorting to a paper map. The system also provides Census demographic information about a particular census tract, including income, population, and housing data. Institutions use this information to assess whether they are meeting the credit needs of the communities in which they operate.

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??Digital Bangladesh?? does not only mean the broad use of computers, perhaps it means the modern philosophy of effective and useful use of technology in terms of implementing the promises in education, health, job placement, poverty reduction etc. Therefore, the government underscores a changing attitude, positive thinking and innovative ideas for the success of ??Digital Bangladesh??.

The philosophy of ??Digital Bangladesh?? comprises ensuring people??s democracy and rights, transparency, accountability, establishing justice and ensuring delivery of government services in each door through maximum use of technology-with the ultimate goal to improve the daily lifestyle of general people. Government??s ??Digital Bangladesh?? includes all classes of people and does not discriminate people in terms of technology. Hence, government have emphasized on the four elements of Digital Bangladesh Vision which are human resource development, people involvement, civil services and use of information technology in business.

Please read the Honourable Prime Minister,s Speech on Digital Bangladesh and E-governance Training Workshop

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Heads of states and governments from Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Nigeria assembled in the oil rich Nigeria??s capital to boost economic ties between the member states.

At the summit, Malaysia handed over the chairmanship of the D-8 to Nigeria. Malaysia took over the D-8 chairmanship on July 8, 2008 at the sixth summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathon welcomed the D-8 member countries leaders in his inaugural address.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Iranian President Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Ahmed Nazif, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, Indonesian Minister for Coordination M Hatta Rajasa and Pakistani Commerce Minister Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim attended the summit.

Dr Goodluck Jonathon in his welcome address said that summit would reinforce and sharpen economic cooperation among member countries through sharing of expertise in the fields of energy, transport, tourism, banking, financial institutions, infrastructure development, human resource development, science and technology, migrant workers and remittances, small and medium scale enterprises as well as information and communication technology.

He mentioned that all these corporations are with a view to improving the well-being of its peoples in a global economy. It is also aimed at boosting the participation of member states in the process of decision-making at the international level.

Among the important agenda of the summit would be the D-8 Roadmap for Economic Cooperation (2008-2018).

The roadmap which was endorsed during the Kuala Lumpur Summit in 2008 is aimed at encouraging greater economic cooperation among member states and to assist in mobilising resources from governmental and private sectors in implementing D-8 projects.

At the end of the summit, the Abuja Declaration would be released. The declaration would address issues that could help cushion the effects and challenges facing D-8 member states on: global economic recession, world energy question, climate change and global warming as they affect agriculture and food security, transportation, and matters on world trade

All DiGITAL :

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On their concern and objections to the proposed amendments, the parliamentary standing committee on post and telecommunications ministry said it would carefully examine those and bring amendments to the bill, if necessary.

Representatives of the telecom operators also opposed the proposed amendments that provide the government with sweeping authority by curtailing jurisdiction of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The telecom industry is among the largest contributors to growth, accounting for approximately 6 percent of GDP. Under Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission regulations, the industry shares 5.5 percent of revenue collected in the form of rent and call charges as well as pays for the lease of Bangladesh Railways’ fibre optic network. Not to talk about the large money the government realises in the form of SIM tax. During the caretaker government’s time, owners were forced to pay additional fees for transfer of ownership too. Altogether it is around 10 percent of the government’s revenue collection.

As mentioned earlier, on June 13, 2010, the Bangladesh Telecommunication (amendment) Bill 2010 was placed before parliament for review by the parliamentary standing committee on posts and telecommunication ministry. The Mobile Operators Association (AMTOB) highlighted a few key provisions in the new regulatory framework that are detrimental to the future growth of the industry and against the spirit of free markets.
The new law proposes raising the maximum fine for offenses from Tk 10 lakh to an astounding Tk 300 crore, higher than any comparable fines in the region; Pakistan currently has the highest with a maximum fine of PKR 35 crore (approximately BDT 28 crore). Given the industry’s high rate of taxation, mandatory revenue sharing and strict regulatory framework, this incentive adds an incremental contingent cost on industry players, discouraging further domestic and foreign investment. While our government is trying hard to market overseas investment, this will obviously send a wrong message to the rank and file. Especially when nobody less than our prime minister is continuously focusing on policy continuity, despite political changeover.
Against the spirit of due process, the new law provides no scope for appeal against expanded powers given to regulators. Telecom-related offenses are now made cognizable under the law, allowing the arrest of industry professionals without warrants, against all tenets of the Criminal Procedure Code. I thought we live in a respectable democratic country, known for its hospitality to the foreign guests. The other day, a minister was speaking high about the country’s potential as a ‘business process outsourcing’ (BPO) hub, with growing and reasonably priced IT savvy and English literate young men and women.
The new law also gives the regulator unilateral power to amend licence conditions at any time. The current cost of renewing a licence represents a significant investment in a capital intensive and highly competitive industry. The potential for abrupt and/or unfavorable changes in licence conditions in light of the high cost of renewal is a significant barrier towards future growth and casts a pall over the business and investment climates in Bangladesh.
The telecom industry is among the largest contributors to growth, accounting for approximately 6 percent of GDP. Under Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission regulations, the industry shares 5.5 percent of revenue collected in the form of rent and call charges as well as pays for the lease of Bangladesh Railways’ fibre optic network. Not to talk about the large money the government realises in the form of SIM tax. During the caretaker government’s time, owners were forced to pay additional fees for transfer of ownership too. Altogether it is around 10 percent of the government’s revenue collection.
Mobile phone operators have been very serious in implementing measures and technologies in the spirit of Digital Bangladesh. Among other things, the industry has brought mobile connectivity to over 90 percent of Bangladesh, introduced data and Internet services to mobile users, provided valuable services such as the facilitation of inward remittance from Bangladeshis living abroad, and generally introduced among the lowest cost mobile phone services in the world.
The industry has promoted significant foreign investment in Bangladesh, sparked growth in Bangladesh capital markets and brought the gift of communication to far-flung corners of rural Bangladesh. The industry is the epitome of a healthy, competitive market and fostering growth for the sector and will continue to provide benefits for the people of Bangladesh.
The people of this country voted this regime, because we wanted change, change for better, biased towards a forward-looking Bangladesh, more technology-driven solutions. No going back, look forward with confidence. If one looks at the telecom bill put up in the parliament, s/he will obviously doubt the sincerity of purpose of the change. I know many ministers, many parliament members who truly believe Bangladesh has a future, based on better education, access to information and shared vision. And that can only happen with better connectivity, using technology for poverty alleviation, investing more in agricultural and tropical health research. Professor Jeffrey Sachs (the author of ‘End of Poverty’) mentioned in 1999 ‘the future of Bangladesh depends on – how fast it can reach technology to rural masses, how better they can use technology for poverty alleviation’. Let’s not kill the golden goose, let’s not send a wrong message to the rest of the world. I am convinced senses will prevail among our people’s representatives, they are the listening people, they represent the toiling masses, and they in togetherness can give us a better Bangladesh. They are the change ambassadors.? can they kill change!

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This time for strengthen the national backbone and management system -?Establishing Digital Bangladesh :Massive changes in areas of VAT (value added tax).work out all VAT? formalities online.

“Establishing Digital Bangladesh is a key priority of the present government. In order to digitize the taxation system, I propose to introduce online VAT registration and return submission,” he said.

A specific software (Bangladesh VAT system, e-VAT) will be used for this purpose, which will be developed by a private firm under the direct supervision of NBR (National Board of Revenue), he said.

In order to impose penalty under the existing VAT Act properly, he also proposed to add new provisions to this Act to take up judicial proceedings in the court of Special Judges appointed under the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1958.

He also proposed relevant amendment to the Act to allow the aggrieved taxpayers to appeal to the High Court against the verdict of the Appellate Tribunal.

Currently, there is no provision in the VAT Act for protection of information provided by the taxpayers.

Considering the demands of taxpayers, he has proposed to insert a new provision in the existing law for protection of information given by the taxpayers.

To modernize the VAT system, the finance minister has proposed to simplify the price declaration procedure and introduce amendments in the law for payment of taxes using various means.

He also proposed necessary amendments in VAT Act to impose VAT on e-commerce.

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Unlike last year, the government is no longer fresh in the seat, and stakes are high. This year is the time for the government to deliver.

As the finance minister in Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet, AMA Muhith faces perhaps the biggest challenge of his career this time. He had previously held the same position in former President HM Ershad’s cabinet as well.

In its second budget, the present government is set to table over Tk 132,000 crore for the upcoming fiscal year, against a revised budget of Tk 110,523 crore for the outgoing year. The annual development programme outlay has been proposed at Tk 38,500 crore against Tk 28,500 crore in the revised expenditure.

Analysts say the most challenging issues for this budget will be over gas, electricity and infrastructure. People are looking up to the government to see how and what portion of the total budget will be allocated to meet the growing demand for energy and infrastructure — the prerequisites to strong economic growth.

Prof Mustafizur Rahman, executive director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said the government faces daunting challenges in some critical areas next year.

??The coming year will be critical in terms of deliberations in areas like energy and infrastructure,?? says Rahman.

He said the government promised to generate 9,500 megawatts of electricity in five years, and people will want to see that power generation begins immediately.

Dr Mustafa K Mujeri, director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), anticipates the main challenge for the government to be in boosting investment, which will ultimately lead to higher economic growth.

??Investment is a must for growth, and vis-???-vis, adequate infrastructure is a must for investment,?? Mujeri says.

The growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) has dropped to the lowest in seven years — standing at 5.5 percent — in the outgoing fiscal year. Investment as a percentage of GDP has also been plunging for the past few years.

According to the analysts, employment generation is becoming a big challenge in the wake of declining investment, particularly in the industrial sector. People will also wait and see how the budget tackles city traffic congestion and implements a Digital Bangladesh.

The expectations of all the productive sectors — manufacturing, medium and small industries, and services — also remain high, as growth in these areas has been sliding for several years.

The revival of business confidence for new investment, public-private partnerships, a reversal of the export contraction and a return of foreign investment, are all big challenges.

Better governance and efficient budget administration are also major challenges, analysts said. Handling additional subsidies for fertilisers and electricity are big challenges as well.

Last, but not the least, it is necessary to control inflation, and mobilise revenue or internal resources, to meet all these expectations, they said.

The CPD executive director said people will wait to see how the government implements infrastructure projects under the much-talked-about PPP.

The BIDS chief stressed raising public sector investment to create a congenial atmosphere for private entrepreneurs. Mujeri said public sector investment in Bangladesh is the lowest in the region.

He said there are a lot of expectations, but it will not be possible to implement all in just a year.

??The government has to set priorities,?? the BIDS boss said.

However, there are some who expect the least from the budget.

??I do not have any such expectations. The finance ministry has a lot of priorities, and politicians always see what is the most beneficial for the masses,?? says Helal Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director of Pubali Bank.

??The banking industry is not top on its agenda.”

However, Chowdhury wants to see expedited efforts in implementation of the four-lane Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and Padma Bridge.

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