Staff Correspondent

Adviser to the interim government on the Ministries of Finance and Commerce Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has highlighted the crucial role of automated government financial services in curbing resource misuse and corruption.

He said that integrating various financial service platforms into a unified management system would enhance transparency and accountability in financial operations. The more services are provided through automated systems, reducing the need for direct interaction with service providers, the more corruption will decline, leading to uninterrupted services for citizens.

Speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of various online platforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness of finance division services, Dr. Ahmed stressed the importance of developing skilled personnel and consistently updating the systems to maintain the effectiveness of these automated platforms, said a press release.

The newly introduced services include an updated iBAS++ website, an A-Chalan portal, a Life Verification app for pensioners, a paperless online Last Payment Certificate (LPC), an Online Leave Management System for government employees to manage leave requests and approvals, an Online Government Housing Non-Claim Certificate, and the iBAS SAFE mobile app for submitting salary and allowance bills and accessing employment-related information.

The event was attended by special guests including Md. Nurul Islam, Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh, Md. Saifullah Panna, Secretary, Office of the Chief Advisor; Md. Abdur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Internal Resources Division and Chairman of the National Board of Revenue ‍and Md. Shahriar Kader Siddique, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division. The meeting, presided over by Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Majumder, and Mohammad Saiful Islam, Additional Secretary and National Program Director of the Strengthening Public Financial Management for Service Delivery (SPFM) made a presentation featuring different online platform.

Md. Nurul Islam underscored the indispensable role of quality accounting and auditing procedures in ensuring effective public financial management. He explained that these practices are critical for the efficient and cost-effective use of public funds.

Md. Abdur Rahman Khan noted that various operations within the National Board of Revenue (NBR) are being automated to deliver transparent services to the public. These automation efforts are being integrated with iBAS++ to broaden service offerings while ensuring transparency and accountability.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiqui emphasized the importance of inclusive financial management to support second-generation economic reforms, ensuring long-term sustainable financial practices.

Dr. Khairuzzaman Majumder stressed the importance of a modern technology-driven Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for effective government finance management, with iBAS++ serving this function in Bangladesh.

In his presentation, Mohammad Saiful Islam showcased the vital role of various online services from the finance division in ensuring sound financial management. He introduced a state-of-the-art website designed to maximize benefits for service recipients, featuring real-time data on 'A-Chalan,' 'EFT,' G2P, pensions, and personal ledger accounts.

Additionally, he discussed about the iBAS SAFE mobile app for efficient service delivery, and various online processes to simplify the acquisition of government housing certificates and refunds.