With the slogan “All Nagorik Shebas at One Address,” Nagorik Sheba Bangladesh has launched online to bring various government services to the public’s doorstep. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the pilot project of this initiative yesterday, Monday, at the state guest house Jamuna.
Trained Nagorik Sheba entrepreneurs will provide these services to ordinary citizens from Nagorik Sheba Centers.
Under the pilot project, Nagorik Sheba Centers have been established in the Gulshan, Uttara, and Nilkhet areas of the capital. The centers in Gulshan and Uttara have already commenced operations, and the Nilkhet center is expected to start functioning shortly.
Inaugurating the service, an initiative of the Chief Adviser’s Office and supervised by the government’s ICT Division, the Chief Adviser stated, “This initiative will play a groundbreaking role in reducing the influence of brokers, preventing various forms of harassment, and ensuring hassle-free citizen services.”
Similarly, to ensure easy access to services, the Chief Adviser directed the ICT Division to take steps to establish Expatriate Service Centers, aiming to deliver all necessary services at a single point. He emphasized regular updates and coordination of services to foster positive competition among all government ministries in service delivery under this program.
Professor Muhammad Yunus said, “Our goal is to create positive competition among ministries in providing services. We are trying to bring all possible services from each ministry under this umbrella as quickly as possible.”
Referring to various Nagorik Shebas, Professor Yunus added, “We must establish a system where children receive their birth registration certificates immediately upon birth. This should be their civic recognition.”
Regarding the operation and ownership of the Nagorik Sheba Centers, he explained that entrepreneurs will pay rent by entering into agreements with landowners. Initially, the rent will be set at a reduced rate. Entrepreneurs will be responsible for security, maintenance, and utilities. Licenses may be revoked if service standards are not maintained.
He stated, “Nagorik Sheba Bangladesh is not just a service delivery platform; it is a movement to build a bridge between the government and the people – based on technology and driven by local entrepreneurs. This inclusive, sustainable, and expandable initiative will be able to bring about an attractive transformation of Nagorik Shebas across the country.”
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the ICT Division, said that the implementation of this project with a zero budget has proven that it is possible to move forward using the country’s existing resources.
The Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser further informed that through this initiative titled Nagorik Sheba Bangladesh, unused government establishments, including post offices, will be transformed into modern co-working spaces and operated by local entrepreneurs.
He mentioned that these Nagorik Sheba Centers, located within walking distance for citizens, will have trained local entrepreneurs providing various government digital services, including National Identity Cards, passports, and tax filings.
Explaining the process of becoming a Nagorik Sheba Center entrepreneur, Fayez Ahmed said that in the first phase, 200 male and female participants were selected from applicants through a rigorous screening process. After intensive training in digital literacy, customer service, and digital service delivery, 100 entrepreneurs (50 women and 50 men) were awarded certificates.
Others present at the inaugural ceremony included Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, Ministry of Land Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed, ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, Local Government Division Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, Director General of Immigration and Passports Major General Md. Nurul Anwar, Registrar General Md. Zahid Hossain, and Director General of the National Identity Card Wing ASM Humayun Kabir.
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