Digital Bangladesh:

The use of information and communication technology has been playing a vital role in the 21st century due to globalization and the government is encouraged to adapting with the coming future. The democratic government has declared the “Vision 2021” in the election manifesto which targets establishment of a resourceful and modern country by 2021 through effective use of information and communication technology-a "Digital Bangladesh".

“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.

The government is committed to building a country whose citizens are able to live prosperous and happy lives. The year 2021 will mark the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence, while the year 2020 will be the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

We envision a democratic system where people choose their government freely and get services from it without hassle, enjoy freedom from fear and intolerance, live with dignity; where every citizen is assured of social justice, environmental protection, human rights and  equal opportunities; and where the rule of law and good governance flourish.  We envision a liberal, progressive and democratic welfare State. Simultaneously we envision a Bangladesh which by 2020/2021, will be a middle income country where poverty will be drastically reduced where, our citizens will be able to meet every basic need and where development will be on fast track, with ever-increasing rates of inclusive growth.

Bangladesh as we want to see it in 2021

I) Democracy and effective parliament

Democracy and strong democratic institutions will be established for holding reliable election at regular intervals, accountability of government and effective Parliament. All necessary steps will be taken for making Parliament effective.

2. Political framework, decentralization of power & people’s participation

Local government will be given due importance with a view to effecting radical change of the political system. The local government institutions will play a critical role in development programmes. Self-reliant local self-government institutions will be established at upazilla and zilla levels to ensure representative, responsive and functional governance at the grassroots levels.

3. Good governance through establishing rule of law and avoiding political partisanship

Human rights will be established on a strong footing with a view to ensuring the rule of law. Independence of the judiciary will be ensured and the institutions of the state and administration will be freed from partisan influence. The basis of appointments and promotions will be merit, efficiency, seniority, honesty and loyalty to the Republic; political connections will have no relevance.

4. Transformation of political culture

Terrorism, corruption and use of religion for politics will be eliminated. Steps appropriate to the time will be taken to establish democratic principles in the political parties, transparency of political funding, civility and tolerance.

5. A society free from corruption

The institutions of the State will be made more effective along with an independent and strong Anti-corruption Commission for curbing corruption. Social resistance to corruption will be promoted alongside legal steps. All possible steps will be taken to stop corruption, such as charter of citizens’ rights, right to information, computerization of official documents, and decentralization of power. Adequate checks at every level of public spending would be built into the financial management system of the government.

6. Empowerment and equal rights for women

The Women’s Policy of 1997 will be revived for ensuring equal right and access for women to the state and social space; laws which discriminate against women will be amended and 100 seats will be reserved for women for direct election.

7. Economic development & initiative

a. Meeting basic needs: With a view to providing food, clothing, shelter, education and health care to the citizens in accordance with Article 15 of the Constitution, gross domestic product will be raised to 8% by 2013 and 10% by 2021 which will be sustained thereafter.

b. Population and labour force: Population in 2021 is estimated at 165m, and labour force at 105m. Programmes will be taken up for employment of at least 85% of the work force.

c. Alleviation of poverty: We aim not at reduction of poverty, but removal of poverty, through which we shall try to achieve the Millennium Goals declared by UN by 2015, and by 2017 latest. Beginning in 2021, poverty will be reduced to 15% from 45% now, progressively. Number of poor people will rise from 45 million now to 65m in 2021, and then fall to 25m in 2021. Sustainable safety nets will be established for the extreme poor until poverty is removed.

d. Food & nutrition: Food deficiency will be removed and self-reliance in food production achieved by 2012, which will enable us to meet the nutrition needs of 85% of the population.

e. Health care: By 2021, a minimum daily intake of 2,122 kilo calories of food, elimination of contagious disease, primary health care and sanitation for all will be ensured. Average longevity will be increased to seventy years, and efforts will be made for the reduction of child and maternal mortality.

f. Education: Enrolment at the primary level will be increased to 100% net by 2010. Elimination of illiteracy by 2014, improvement in the quality of education, creation of a generation educated in science and technology, graduation degree level education made free by 2013 and ensuring higher salary for teachers are the other educational goals.

g. Industry: A strong foundation for industrialization will be established by 2021. Contribution of the industrial sector to national GDP will be doubled. Primacy will be given to agro and labour intensive industries and the highest emphasis will be given to the information technology sector. The investment policy will be geared to implementing a strategy for attracting both domestic and foreign investment.

h. Energy security: An energy policy will be adopted tapping all sources of traditional and non-traditional energy to ensure an accelerated rate of economic development and industrialization. A three year crash programme will be taken up to meet the existing crisis. By 2015, electricity production will be increased to 8,000 megawatt. By 2021, demand for electricity is projected to increase to 20,000 megawatt. We will take all possible actions aiming at enhancing our generation capacity. To increase gas production, regular survey of gas resources and work on well development will be undertaken. To meet energy demand, efforts will be undertaken for regional energy security through mutual cooperation in addition to exploring internal sources.

i. Infrastructural development: Road, rail, river and air transport and telecommunication systems will be expanded. Construction of bridges and tunnels for Padma and Karnaphuli rivers, connecting Bangladesh with the Asian highway and Asian railway, improvement of port facilities, building of a deep sea port to open up Bangladesh's ports to countries of Asia will be implemented. In Dhaka, construction of a metro tunnel, elevated rail and circular rail to remove traffic jams and to solve public transport problems will be studied forthwith in order to undertake a feasible project. The project will then be implemented on a priority basis.

j. Housing: By 2015, housing for all will be ensured. In every union and upazila, ‘growth center’ centric village housing and in towns housing with modern amenities will be implemented.

k. Environment: All measures will be taken to protect Bangladesh, including planned migration abroad, from the adverse effects of climate change and global warming. Facing natural calamities, planned reduction of air pollution, prevention of industry and transport related air pollution and disposal of waste in scientific manner will be ensured. Steps will be taken to make Bangladesh an ecologically attractive place through retention of forests and water bodies and prevention of river erosion.

l. Water resources: Bangladesh Awami League will take the initiative to formulate a comprehensive regional water policy along with India, Nepal and Bhutan for regional water security. In addition, in keeping with comprehensive water policy, articulated earlier by Bangladesh Awami League, measures will be taken for development of our water resources and their rational use.

8. Bangladesh in the global arena

a. Achievements of liberation: Multi-pronged measures will be taken to uphold the glorious history and the fruits of our national independence and liberation, to energize the new generation with the spirit of liberation, struggle, patriotism and love for humanity. Highest priority will be given to the development of an innovative spirit in the younger generations and opportunity will be provided for them to participate in nation building activities.

b. Culture: Measures will be taken to remove obstacles in the development of Bengali culture, literature, art, music and sport and to provide all opportunities by the state to enable the younger generations to attain international standards and to contribute to the nation.

c. Foreign policy: In international affairs Bangladesh will follow the policy of ‘friendship towards all and malice towards none’.

Limitations for ensuring digital Bangladesh:

·          Lack of proper infrastructure of ICT

·          Lack of well trained manpower and training centre

·          Improper practice of ICT policy

·          Apathy of civil servants

·          Traditional attitude toward modern technology

·          Reactive manner of policy makers

·          Using closed based software

·          Insufficient facilities of LAN

·          Lack of visionary leadership quality

·          Poor English language skill

·          Patronizing corruption

·          Insufficient power supply

·          Lack of imagination of a good society

·          Lack of proper investment (national and international) in this arena

How can we ensure it in Bangladesh?

·          Developing proper infrastructure of ICT

·          Ensuring well trained manpower

·          Proper practice of ICT policy

·          Eagerness of civil servants

·          Proactive attitude toward modern technology

·          Innovative manner of policy makers

·          Using opened based software

·          Sufficient facilities of LAN

·          Ensuring visionary leadership quality

·          Developing English language skill

·          Patronizing ICT farms and scholars

·          Sufficient power supply

·          Image of a good society