Comments on: e-PIT http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html Life and Politics in Democratic Bhutan Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:16:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-213 Anonymous Sun, 11 Jan 2009 04:54:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-213 The Technical Guidelines on ICT for preparation of the 10th FYP - 2006, envisaged similar proposal to provide, “one window utility billing and payment system” where water, electricity and telephone bills can all be paid through a one window system. It states that Bhutan has now fully computerized billing system for all these utilities and payment of electricity and telephone bills can already be done either in BTL or the Druk Green Corporation offices. All that is required for now is to have the City Corporation to be a part of this. Further integration of billing system may be required to enable all bills to be paid in one counter and it is believed that Bhutan Post Ltd. has already taken an initiative in this direction. The next level of development should be really to facilitate online view of the bills and payment system. <br/><br/>Similarly, the same Technical Guideline reflects other e-services that requires cross-sectoral integration and (independent delivery):<br/><br/> Rural-based Services: facilitating online services on (i) Timber and firewood permits, (ii) Loan schemes (iii) Marriage certificates (iv) Death and birth registration. (v) Other modules could be added as and when required.<br/> Trade Licensing and Handling System: online processing and approval of licenses.<br/> Personnel Income Tax Payments: enable online submission of tax returns and payments.<br/> Security Clearance System (SCS): Issuance of security clearance <br/><br/>The Bhutan Portal website http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/citizen/index.php maintained by Department of Information Technology (DIT) attempts to provide online e-services through the above website but it requires more publicity and dissemination of information of its services. However, without the lack of physical infrastructure services centre, the provision of this service could be restricted to few elite or educated group without actually reaching to the community at large. <br/><br/>Besides processing for online delivery of the above services from their respective organisations, these services should also be planned to be delivered through the one-window-under one-roof system e-Services, if ever, along with other services as shown below:<br/><br/>Payment of Utilities Bills<br/>Electricity bills <br/>Water and sewerage bills <br/>Telephone bills (BSNL & TATA Tele Services) <br/>Property Tax <br/>Sales Tax <br/>Certificates<br/>Registration of births / deaths <br/>Issue of birth / death certificates <br/>Permits / Licences<br/>Issue / renewal of trade licences <br/>Transport Department Services<br/>Change of address of a vehicle owner <br/>Transfer of ownership of a vehicle <br/>Issue of learners' licences <br/>Issue / renewal of driving licences (non-transport vehicles). <br/>Registration of new vehicles <br/>Reservation<br/>Reservation of bus tickets <br/>Tourism: Reservation of tickets / accommodation <br/>Other Services at e-Service Centres<br/>Sale of passport application forms <br/>Receipt of passport applications <br/>Sale of legal / revenue stamps <br/>Internet Services<br/> Internet-enabled electronic payments <br/> Downloading of forms and Government Orders (GOs) <br/> Filing of applications on the web <br/>B2C Servcises<br/>Cell Phone Bill Payments The Technical Guidelines on ICT for preparation of the 10th FYP – 2006, envisaged similar proposal to provide, “one window utility billing and payment system” where water, electricity and telephone bills can all be paid through a one window system. It states that Bhutan has now fully computerized billing system for all these utilities and payment of electricity and telephone bills can already be done either in BTL or the Druk Green Corporation offices. All that is required for now is to have the City Corporation to be a part of this. Further integration of billing system may be required to enable all bills to be paid in one counter and it is believed that Bhutan Post Ltd. has already taken an initiative in this direction. The next level of development should be really to facilitate online view of the bills and payment system.

Similarly, the same Technical Guideline reflects other e-services that requires cross-sectoral integration and (independent delivery):

 Rural-based Services: facilitating online services on (i) Timber and firewood permits, (ii) Loan schemes (iii) Marriage certificates (iv) Death and birth registration. (v) Other modules could be added as and when required.
 Trade Licensing and Handling System: online processing and approval of licenses.
 Personnel Income Tax Payments: enable online submission of tax returns and payments.
 Security Clearance System (SCS): Issuance of security clearance

The Bhutan Portal website http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/citizen/index.php maintained by Department of Information Technology (DIT) attempts to provide online e-services through the above website but it requires more publicity and dissemination of information of its services. However, without the lack of physical infrastructure services centre, the provision of this service could be restricted to few elite or educated group without actually reaching to the community at large.

Besides processing for online delivery of the above services from their respective organisations, these services should also be planned to be delivered through the one-window-under one-roof system e-Services, if ever, along with other services as shown below:

Payment of Utilities Bills
Electricity bills
Water and sewerage bills
Telephone bills (BSNL & TATA Tele Services)
Property Tax
Sales Tax
Certificates
Registration of births / deaths
Issue of birth / death certificates
Permits / Licences
Issue / renewal of trade licences
Transport Department Services
Change of address of a vehicle owner
Transfer of ownership of a vehicle
Issue of learners' licences
Issue / renewal of driving licences (non-transport vehicles).
Registration of new vehicles
Reservation
Reservation of bus tickets
Tourism: Reservation of tickets / accommodation
Other Services at e-Service Centres
Sale of passport application forms
Receipt of passport applications
Sale of legal / revenue stamps
Internet Services
Internet-enabled electronic payments
Downloading of forms and Government Orders (GOs)
Filing of applications on the web
B2C Servcises
Cell Phone Bill Payments

]]> By: prodigal http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-200 prodigal Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:09:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-200 We are definitely ready for being Digital. It's just a matter of attitude. Technology is the most amazing thing only problem is changing the mindset of people. We are definitely ready for being Digital. It’s just a matter of attitude. Technology is the most amazing thing only problem is changing the mindset of people.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-189 Anonymous Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:40:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-189 There is a lot at play when services are expected online. Foremost is the infrastructure. There is very low PC and internet penetration and for the matter literacy. Second is the culture of using credit cards. How many of us have used our BNB Debit cards? This requires a shift in the culture of using paper money to Card. BNB is pioneering the move away from paper money.<br/><br/>Enough being said about why it cannot be done, I strongly believe that for the shift to e-services, the government has to take the lead role. There is no institution in Bhutan which enjoys more trust than the government, not to mention the resources and the expertise too. There is a lot at play when services are expected online. Foremost is the infrastructure. There is very low PC and internet penetration and for the matter literacy. Second is the culture of using credit cards. How many of us have used our BNB Debit cards? This requires a shift in the culture of using paper money to Card. BNB is pioneering the move away from paper money.

Enough being said about why it cannot be done, I strongly believe that for the shift to e-services, the government has to take the lead role. There is no institution in Bhutan which enjoys more trust than the government, not to mention the resources and the expertise too.

]]> By: Lobxang http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-178 Lobxang Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:36:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-178 Are we ready for it? Is Bhutan prepared for it? It's indeed fast and obviously more convinient to do it all from the comfort of your office or home. But let's consider that it will reduce the currently required labor force by half or less if everthing was computerised. Will there be enough jobs then to employ the remaining?<br/>This brings to mind the failure of Traffic Lights in Bhutan. Are the mass population of Bhutan ready for a Digital Bhutan yet? <br/>But, it definately makes the utmost sense for people like you and me. I am frustrated as hell with the banks in Bhutan. I can't even access my own account without the expensive calls and long waits and holds.I truly wish we had internet banking in our country. Likewise, I wish there were more government information published on the web so that any one can access it from anywhere. <br/>Well, just a debate going on in my head after reading your blog. Are we ready for it? Is Bhutan prepared for it? It’s indeed fast and obviously more convinient to do it all from the comfort of your office or home. But let’s consider that it will reduce the currently required labor force by half or less if everthing was computerised. Will there be enough jobs then to employ the remaining?
This brings to mind the failure of Traffic Lights in Bhutan. Are the mass population of Bhutan ready for a Digital Bhutan yet?
But, it definately makes the utmost sense for people like you and me. I am frustrated as hell with the banks in Bhutan. I can’t even access my own account without the expensive calls and long waits and holds.I truly wish we had internet banking in our country. Likewise, I wish there were more government information published on the web so that any one can access it from anywhere.
Well, just a debate going on in my head after reading your blog.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-167 Anonymous Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:49:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-167 I only find the Ministry of Agriculture's website being updated, at least twice a week on average. The rest are just sitting unfazed, like most of our bureaucrats! I only find the Ministry of Agriculture’s website being updated, at least twice a week on average. The rest are just sitting unfazed, like most of our bureaucrats!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-150 Anonymous Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:57:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-150 Though Bhutan has shown its improvement in such type of electronic facilities which make a lot more easier for people to access the information, few of the ministries' websites are not updating regularly. For ex. Education Ministry website, its latest updates were done in 2006 and no useful information is posted there!<br/>Specially, ministries' websites are must to be updated regularly! Though Bhutan has shown its improvement in such type of electronic facilities which make a lot more easier for people to access the information, few of the ministries’ websites are not updating regularly. For ex. Education Ministry website, its latest updates were done in 2006 and no useful information is posted there!
Specially, ministries’ websites are must to be updated regularly!

]]> By: Jigme http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-144 Jigme Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:04:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-144 Internet in Bhutan was launched in June 1999, not 1998. Internet in Bhutan was launched in June 1999, not 1998.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-137 Anonymous Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:49:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-137 to me.... Bhutan is making progress........probably a great deal of progress.....while there is a long way to go... i would rather there was better maintanance, efficiency and sustainability in what is started instead of strating newer things to prove progressiveness and development. <br/>i think we can take it slow as log as it is good and it lasts. <br/>many things that have been started in the last few years have extinct... required things in mean.... like somebody mentioned buying druk air ticket on line...or being able to apply for a job with the DOE on line... i am not sure if people even update those information as much as required.... or any websites( government or non profits or private)so to speak. <br/><br/>i don;t know..... what is the real problem or are we even willing to accept it if we know what the problem is..... <br/><br/>nevertheless, i like your blog and the kind of issues that are discussed on it. to me…. Bhutan is making progress……..probably a great deal of progress…..while there is a long way to go… i would rather there was better maintanance, efficiency and sustainability in what is started instead of strating newer things to prove progressiveness and development.
i think we can take it slow as log as it is good and it lasts.
many things that have been started in the last few years have extinct… required things in mean…. like somebody mentioned buying druk air ticket on line…or being able to apply for a job with the DOE on line… i am not sure if people even update those information as much as required…. or any websites( government or non profits or private)so to speak.

i don;t know….. what is the real problem or are we even willing to accept it if we know what the problem is…..

nevertheless, i like your blog and the kind of issues that are discussed on it.

]]> By: tchoden http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-135 tchoden Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:16:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-135 WOW! This is great news for Bhutan. A huge congratulation to DRC for making this possible. <br/>Singapore was the first county to introduce filing taxes online. I agree, Singapore is amazing when it comes to online services; their government's portal is amazing -- > www.ecitizen.gov.sg WOW! This is great news for Bhutan. A huge congratulation to DRC for making this possible.
Singapore was the first county to introduce filing taxes online. I agree, Singapore is amazing when it comes to online services; their government's portal is amazing — > http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/government/2009/e-pit.html#comment-134 Anonymous Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:08:00 +0000 http://www.tsheringtobgay.com/general/2009/e-pit.html#comment-134 Didn't I read somewhere in kuensel or bbs that drukair ticket can be bought online? Now, it seems like it is no more available. Yeah, of course Bhutan has a long way to go!<br/>Cheers Bhutan! Didn’t I read somewhere in kuensel or bbs that drukair ticket can be bought online? Now, it seems like it is no more available. Yeah, of course Bhutan has a long way to go!
Cheers Bhutan!

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