Policy+Implementation

=Policy Implementation=

This page explores the use of technology and its role in policy implementation by governments. As technology moves further, countries are acknowledging the big role and IT could play as a means to implement policies. The main focus is on the comparison of India and Bangladesh and how policies are implemented with the help of technology.
 * Around the World**

The Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) recently established the Automated Assistance in Administrative Decision Making (AAADM) to provide advice to government on the operation of automated systems in administrative decision making. The Working Group is currently developing Best Practice Guidelines for use by Australian Government agencies that reflect key principles from the Administrative Review Council Report. The ARC is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the Australian Government system of administrative review and provides advice to the Australian Government Attorney-General on strategic and operational matters relating to that system. The UK uses technology that helps to inform of Transformational Government: Enabled by Technology. DVLA’s vehicle licensing online, NHS Direct and DWP’s Payment Modernisation Programme are all a part of it. The report outlines how government plans to use the opportunities presented by modern technology to transform public services.



Policy Implementation in Bangladesh Bangladesh has not developed very far when it comes to the use of technology. IT isn’t a big part of the government’s implementation of policies. Most policies in Bangladesh are implemented through vocal speeches that people attend or they are seen on TV. Information Communication Technology encompasses the broad fields of information processing, transmission and communications by means of computer and telecommunication techniques and these modern tools are being increasingly used for organizational/personal information processing in all sectors of economy and society.

A dependable information system is essential for efficient management and operation of the public and private sectors. But there is a shortage of locally generated information needed for efficient performance of these sectors. In order to meet this objective, ICT use in every sector shall have to be accelerated in terms of information generation, utilization and applications. Considering the gravity and importance of ICT Hon’ble Prime Minister has already declared ICT as the thrust sector.

Over the last few years, many nations have taken advantage of the opportunities afforded by ICT within a policy framework, laid down guidelines and proceeded with the formulation of a national ICT strategy as a part of the overall national development plan. Bangladesh intends to use ICT as the key-driving element for socio-economic development. Bangladesh banned plastic bags nationwide in 2002 after they clogged drainage systems in the capital city of Dhaka and worsened the damage from two major floods. Bangladeshis had been using 19 million plastic bags daily. When Bangladesh decided to stop using polethene bags, the government implemented this policy through the use of the media, printing on newspapers and advertising on TV.



The Government of India's liberalization and economic reforms programme aims at rapid and substantial economic growth and integration with the global economy in a harmonized manner. The new policies have made governmental procedures transparent, eliminated licensing in almost all sectors and provide encouragement to entrepreneurship through market friendly systems. The Industrial Policy reforms have drastically reduced the industrial licensing requirements, removed restrictions on investment and expansion and facilitated easy access to foreign technology and foreign direct investment. An outward looking and liberal trade policy is one of the main features of India's economic reforms. In line with its mission of formulating a transparent investor friendly environment, the Government has done away with the complex pre-entry approvals. Foreign Direct Investment today can enter India in most sectors through the automatic route. India is a signatory to the Information Technology Agreement of the World Trade Organization and w.e.f. 1 st March, 2005 the customs duty on all the specified 217 items has been eliminated. Over the years, Foreign Trade Policy for Electronics and IT products has been liberalized, Customs and Excise procedures simplified, EDI implemented by customs & under implementation by central excise and customs duty on specified capital goods and raw materials for electronics/IT hardware has been brought down to zero%. Electronics Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) schemes have been tailored to boost manufacturing in the country. As technology progresses, the use of IT has increased over the years in terms of politics and governance. In the cases of India and Bangladesh, India is further ahead with the use of IT as a means to implement policies. Bangladesh does recognize the importance of IT and is doing more so that IT is used in the implementation of policies.
 * Policy Implementation in India**
 * Conclusion**

**SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. MAHFUZ ANAM**



 * Bibliography**

Phukan, Anjali. __Information Technology in Bangladesh__. 30 Nov. 2006 <[|http://www.american.edu/carmel/ap1579a/use.html>.]

__Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh__. 2 Dec. 2006 <[|http://www.cpd-bangladesh.org/about/intro.html>.]