Reaching govt's service to the poor
PHOTO: RASHED SUMON
The government has selected Jessore as the first digital district as part of the first step towards making all districts digital under Access to Information Programme. Good governance and its associated services simply do not reach many people, and where they do, the services offered are so corrupted, inefficient and disorganised that they fail to make any positive impact. There exists a vicious loop: the impact of poor governance is felt disproportionately by those who are poor, unorganised and do not have the means to access services from alternative channels, such as the private sector and the middlemen. In turn, this further diminishes the opportunities available to them to break the cycle of poverty, exploitation and marginalisation. Governance services such as maintaining the rule of law, primary education, primary health care, preserving equality and human rights, targeted government programmes and subsidies, can enhance welfare of people in any country. Yet large sections of people, especially in developing countries, remain poor, exploited and marginalised, and are not able to improve their lives as they are deprived of even the most fundamental benefits of good governance. Above all, we need a reaffirmation of political commitment at the highest levels to reduce the dangers that arise both from existing nuclear weapons and from further proliferation. Business, labour and civil society organisations have skills and resources that are vital in helping to build a more robust global community. If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are the conditions for development.
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