Stay alert to use of ICT by terrorists: PM
Renewing her resolve to crush terrorism and militancy with the help of people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all to stay alert as terrorists were using ICT in their evil activities.
“Although good works are done through ICT, terrorists and militants are also using it... we'll have to be very alert to this,” she told the inaugural ceremony of the Civil Service in Development Innovation 2016 summit at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre in the city.
The two-day event is aimed at highlighting Digital Bangladesh and Vision-2021 through different innovations.
The PM asked the government employees to think again to develop the country and generate new ideas. “I firmly believe together you all will build a modern, service-oriented and proactive civil service to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
“People won't come to us. Rather, we'll go to people with services and this would be our policy and thoughts,” Hasina added.
She said modern, dynamic and innovative civil servants can take the country at the highest peak of development.
Reminding the public servants that they have been playing the main role to materialise the initiatives to make Digital Bangladesh, she said the government made Innovation Fund to patronise innovation.
“Some 103 projects have been implemented with the help of service innovation fund at a cost of Tk 200 million. An innovative platform named Idea Bank has also been introduced to accelerate innovative culture.”
Highlighting various achievements and successes of her government in building Digital Bangladesh, the premier said Digital Bangladesh is not a dream now, but a reality as digital technology is being used almost everywhere in public life.
The government has increased the internet density and capacity of the submarine cable. An IT-friendly policy has been enacted in the country and almost 99 percent area is now under mobile phone network, she added.
The government, said Hasina, has introduced agent banking in 400 union digital centres; some 200 types of services are being provided there; around 18 lakh citizens are using e-TIN; Postal Cash Card Service is being provided in 1,333 post offices; Electronic Money Order has been introduced in 2,750 post and sub post offices and the work on setting up 8,500 digital centres is underway.
Kabir bin Anwar, project director of Access to Information programme, delivered the welcome address at the event, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam.
Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad and UNDP Country Director Pauline Tamesis spoke on the occasion.
A short documentary titled “A tale of transformation” was also screened.
Earlier, the premier distributed awards to three best districts --Brahmanbaria, Jessore and Chittagong -- and the best division Dhaka for their efforts to establish Digital Bangladesh.
Deputy commissioners and the divisional commissioner concerned received the awards from the PM.