Census Report on Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) Figure 3: UISCs district-wise total income (BDT) BAGERHAT 529,302.00 BANDARBAN 82,840.00 BARGUNA 562,027.00 BARISAL 864,190.00 BHOLA 504,205.00 BOGRA 522,822.00 BRAHMANBARIA 1,007,024.00 CHANDPUR 1,381,546.00 CHAPAI NAWABGANJ 328,264.00 CHITTAGONG 1,061,715.00 CHUADANGA 300,511.00 COMILLA 1,772,508.00 COX'S BAZAR 573,121.00 DHAKA 1,352,338.00 DINAJPUR 1,176,513.00 FARIDPUR 805,735.00 FENI 256,677.00 GAIBANDHA 672,592.00 GAZIPUR 482,820.00 GOPALGANJ 557,455.00 HABIGANJ 440,630.00 JAMALPUR 827,017.00 JESSORE 795,145.00 JHALOKATI 455,207.00 JHENAIDAH 350,403.00 JOYPURHAT 342,669.00 KHAGRACHHARI 160,644.00 KHULNA 361,703.00 KISHOREGONJ 1,468,550.00 KURIGRAM 537,667.00 KUSHTIA 380,700.00 LAKSHMIPUR 281,390.00 LALMONIRHAT 317,431.00 MADARIPUR 405,600.00 MAGURA 317,605.00 MANIKGANJ 928,080.00 MAULVIBAZAR 409,175.00 MEHERPUR 187,125.00 MUNSHIGANJ 1,200,715.00 MYMENSINGH 957,347.00 NAOGAON 515,240.00 NARAIL 205,219.00 NARAYANGANJ 917,199.00 NARSINGDI 1,852,971.00 NATORE 496,273.00 NETRAKONA 827,585.00 NILPHAMARI 756,792.00 NOAKHALI 764,895.00 Bangladesh Bureau of StatisticsPABNA 748,850.00 PANCHAGARH 331,322.00 PATUAKHALI 532,376.00 PIROJPUR 600,703.00 RAJBARI 537,212.00 RAJSHAHI 568,375.00 RANGAMATI 342,414.00 Statistics and Informatics DivisionRANGPUR 693,947.00 SATKHIRA 486,889.00 SHARIATPUR 460,316.00 SHERPUR 312,070.00 SIRAJGANJ 949,503.00 SUNAMGANJ 600,180.00 SYLHET 680,105.00 TANGAIL 1,194,400.00 THAKURGAON 353,612.00 0.00 500,000.00 1,000,000.00 1,500,000.00 2,000,000.00 Ministry of Planning Census Report xvi Census Report on Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) May 2014 UISC Census 2013 Published jointly by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) Ministry of Planning Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh And Access to Information (A2I) Programme Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) May, 2014 Copyright © BBS and A2I Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal (Lotus Kamal), FCA, MP Ministry of Planning Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Message It is a rare honour for me to write this message for the first Census Report on Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) 2013, which is being published by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Our government unveiled UISCs across rural areas of Bangladesh, as a milestone to achieve the goals articulated in the “Digital Bangladesh” agenda, pertaining to delivering services to citizens’ doorsteps. I think, this report is a useful document considering the information on e-services, which has been prepared for improving the overall social well-being of Bangladesh as a nation. The government had introduced the concept of “Digital Bangladesh” in 2008; after six years, I am happy to state that many giant strides have been made in this journey. This Census report offers a clear picture about UISCs success in moving the nation closer to the vision of “Digital Bangladesh.” UISCs are contributing towards transformation of Union Parishad’s traditional roles and functions. Rural citizens are today enjoying hassle-free, easy and affordable public and private services through these government-owned micro-enterprises. I am very pleased that BBS, under the active guidance of Secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) and Director General, BBS, for the first time has successfully conducted a full-fledged UISC Census. I am confident that this Census will be instrumental in developing a comprehensive plan, identifying opportunities and addressing challenges hindering UISCs sustainability. AHM Mustafa Kamal, FCA, MP Minister D h a k a May 2014 i Census Report Minister of State M.A. Mannan, MP Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Planning Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Message I am glad to learn that the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), under the Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) of Ministry of Planning, Government of Bangladesh, is going to launch the 1st Census report on Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs), on the basis of a survey conducted in 2013. I am confident that this publication will further strengthen the efforts of Government of Bangladesh, towards building a “Digital Bangladesh,” using the latest information and communication technology. This will also benefit all citizens of our country particularly those living in the rural areas. The UISC will, in the near future, become a centre of knowledge serving the needs of the people across the country. In this context, I record my appreciation of the leadership of Md. Nojibur Rahman, Secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division and his officers and staff, who have all contributed in the completion of this difficult task. I would like to further congratulate everyone in the SID and wish them well. M.A. Mannan, MP State Minister D h a k a iiMay 2014 Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) Abdus Sobhan Sikder Principal Secretary Prime Minister’s Office Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Message To materialise Vision 2021 as reflected in the election manifesto, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) at every Union Parishad along with other time worthy programmes in 2010. The objective is to take public services to the doorsteps of citizens. Establishment of these one-stop service centres has achieved immense positive change in the rural communities of Bangladesh. In light of their success Pourashova Information and Service Centres (PISCs) and City Information and Service Centres (CISCs) have been established in every Pourashova and City corporation ward level, respectively. The Access to Information (A2I) Programme of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is undertaking and successfully implementing similar initiatives in order to facilitate the delivery of services through leveraging use of information and communications technology (ICT); for instance, the e-Tathyakosh is serving as a national e-content repository; paper-Purjee replaced by an e-Purjee system; development of the National Portal, an e-architecture aimed at the creation of harmonised public websites; smart/multimedia classrooms and a Teacher’s Portal; and, many other ICT-induced innovative and indigenous initiatives. iii Census Report I belive that the present Census, jointly conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and A2I to evaluate the current status of UISCs, will guide our future work plans. Abdus Sobhan Sikder D h a k a May 2014 Principal Secretary iv Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) Monzur Hossain Senior Secretary Local Govt. Division Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Message Union Parishad is one of the oldest and crucial tiers of local government. It is closest to the citizens at the grassroots level. Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs), established at every Union Parishad, have added a new dimension to the Parishad’s activities. The goal of UISCs is to transform Union Parishads into information and knowledge-based institutions so that they can play a vital role in establishing a knowledge-based country by 2021. These one- stop information and service delivery centres have an important role in bringing private and public services at citizens’ doorsteps by eliminating digital divide. The UISCs have enabled citizens to access necessary services within short time period, little costs, and fewer visits. A census was conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and Access to Information (A2I) Programme of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to assess and evaluate the performance of UISCs. I strongly believe the UISC Census will facilitate future policy decisions of the Local Government Division (LGD). Monzur Hossain D h a k a May 2014 Senior Secretaryv Census Report Md. Nojibur Rahman Secretary Statistics and Informatics Division Ministry of Planning Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Foreword By turning our vision a few years back, it may be recalled that Bangladesh Government along with other governments, reaffirmed their dedication to the foundation of Information Society articulated in the Tunis Commitment, which outlined the basis for implementation and follow-up of the Tunis Agenda. In pursuant of the latter, in the present government’s election manifesto “Vision 2021 Bangladesh: A new Horizon,” the incumbent introduced the concept of “Digital Bangladesh”, which is a mirror image of the Information Society idea. Digital Bangladesh rests on two pillars - connecting citizens and facilitating pro- poor services at citizen’s doorsteps. Having guided with the idea previously stated, the government established Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) in 2009 in 30 Union Parishads through partnership between Local Government Division and Access to Information (A2I) Programme of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh. At present, UISCs are government owned micro-enterprises, working as one-stop information and service delivery outlets across all Union Parishads, the lowest tier of the government. These micro-enterprises, through its various activities, are helping to move the government closer to its citizens. This UISC Census has revealed, among other things, a guideline to develop a strategic plan, identify future directions and possible interventions for the vi Union Information and Service Centres (UISCs) sustainability of UISCs, which is the most crucial factor. It is the first of its kind to make such an evaluation since UISCs inauguration in November 2010 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UNDP Administrator Helen Clerk. I thank A2I Programme for providing financial and technical support to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) for conducting the Census.