IT services taking root nationwide

With the establishment of digital service centres in more than 4,500 village unions and some 460 urban digital centres at ward level under 11 city corporations, millions of people are getting the benefit of government services which had earlier been a challenge in terms of time spent, and bribery and hassle entailed. With United Nations Development Fund's technical assistance, the establishment of such digital centres in unions fully equipped with computers, audio and visual equipment and high speed internet has changed the lives of some 4 million people. They use the services that include everything from taking digital photographs, filling out online forms to video conferencing with loved ones who mostly work abroad as expatriate workers. These centres have become a source of employment, too.
From what has been published in a leading Bangla daily, we understand that in little over four years since the first digital centre opened, the project has earned Tk. 140 crore. Yet there are problems that need to be addressed. Frequent power outages, equipment in disrepair, slow internet speeds are some of the bottlenecks that are hampering work at the centres. Despite these challenges, the contribution of digital technology in bridging the gap between the rural and urban centres cannot be understated. It opens up all sorts of possibilities. However, more needs to be done to publicise the working of these centres as a great number of people in the unions have no idea that such services are available at affordable cost that is free from hassle and available at their doorstep.