A task force of the interim government has recommended establishing NID-based open data platforms.
"Establishing open data platforms based on the National Identity (NID) system - similar to India's Aadhar card - can revolutionize service delivery across numerous sectors," says a recent of the task force.
The taskforce came up the recommendation as these platforms can facilitate access to finance, efficient distribution of subsidies, social protection programs, tax compliance, bank account openings, and meeting Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
It says this digital intervention has already been tested successfully in other contexts and promises to have a transformative, economy-wide impact.
The task force proposes improving government efficiency saying there is substantial scope for efficiency gains within government operations.
"Strategies to enhance operational efficiency may include transitioning to paperless offices, minimizing ceremonial and protocol-related expenses, reducing unnecessary construction of facilities, and limiting the frequency of meetings to save time and resources," the report reads.
Identifying and implementing these minor adjustments collectively can result in significant improvements in government efficiency, according to the task force.
It suggests removing political influence from the banking sector since a powerful vested interest group has played a pivotal role in weakening the sector for decades. "This needs to be dismantled," the task force reads.
Mentioning that the Bangladesh Bank must be allowed to function independently, as per the Bangladesh Bank Amendment Bill 2003, the task force says a single individual or group of individuals should not be allowed to obtain majority ownership of more than one commercial bank.
"No new bank licenses should be given out on political grounds. The use of public funds to recapitalize poorly governed commercial banks needs to stop. An exit policy for troubled banks should be formulated to protect the depositor interest," the report says.
Education and Planning Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the report of the task force on "Re-strategizing the Economy and Mobilizing Resources for Equitable and Sustainable Development" to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on January 30.
The 12-member task force was formed on September 10 to reframe the development strategies, find out leakages in the financial system and restore discipline in project implementation.
