Resisting e-governance
FINANCE Minister A.M.A. Muhith has accused a section of government officials for creating obstacles to the introduction of e-governance in the country, saying that these officials consider information technology (IT) detrimental to their interests. "There are vested quarters in the administration, who never want such development that can affect their interests," he said at a seminar in the city.
I am neither a politician nor a government official, but a senior citizen and academic and industrial scientist. Before blaming anybody, we should understand what the science and technology atmosphere of the country was before Sheikh Hasina's government came to power. How much importance was given to scientific activities in Bangladesh? How much recognition did a scientist get?
We can take the example of Dr. M.A. Wajed Mia. There are a lot of examples when scientists and scientific activities were seriously overlooked in the country. We are lucky that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her intention of establishing Digital Bangladesh. The general mass started to find out what Digital Bangladesh actually meant, and realised the relevance of science and technology to Digital Bangladesh.
As mentioned earlier in many of my articles, technology cannot develop in a vacuum. Not only government officials, but also non-scientists all over the world are afraid of technology. They don't like to involve themselves in it. E-governance (electronic governance) is digital technology based activities. It is good that our respected ministers are taking an interest in technology and realising the importance of information and communication technology (ICT).
Earlier, a lot of initiatives were taken to introduce new technology, particularly ICT, in government offices, health care sector and the education sector including universities, under the auspices of the international organisations like Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) of the Commonwealth Secretariat, but there was not much cooperation from the government. Many high officials at that time commented that learning ICT applications was the job of typists.
"Implementation of the e-governance won't be possible through confrontation with them or through issuing orders. We'll have to encourage them, keep them with us," the minister said. Very right, and I appreciate him for the comments. Being an economist, he realised the importance and the strategy of implementations.
"Only supply of computers would not ensure the digital Bangladesh. There is a need to train manpower and revise the complex rules and regulations to make the vision success." This is also true.
The following comments are also very effective and timely. The government is working to frame a "digital policy" in a bid to digitise the country. "We are ready to make the country fully digital. But there is a concern over the issue as it could create a digital division in the society. If there is any digital division among the society, it would be very shocking for the nation. So the government is very cautious before making Bangladesh fully digital," he said.
It is worth mentioning here that many non-scientists and technologists are giving statements on science and technology that must be very carefully examined and reviewed. They may become dangerous or their statements might be disastrous for Digital Bangladesh.
One of the most important jobs of the policy makers, particularly the respected ministers, is to find out the real talents in science and technology. Their scientific learning at university level and experience in the proper fields should get priority. We must remember: "A fool with a costly tool in hand is still a fool."
Prof. Lutfor Rahman is Founder VC of Science and Technology University in Rural Bangladesh and a Freedom Fighter.
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