LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the government is working to transform Union Digital Centres (UDCs) into modern and more effective service hubs to ensure easier access to public services through digital platforms.

Replying to a scripted question from ruling party lawmaker Anisur Rahman in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the Local Government Division and a2i under the ICT Division are jointly working to modernise Union Digital Centres across the country.

He said citizens are already receiving a wide range of government services digitally through these centres.

The minister informed the House that a2i and the United Nations Development Programme are conducting a baseline assessment as part of the implementation of the Digital Centre 2.0 initiative nationwide.

Fakhrul said regular capacity-building training programmes are being organised to keep entrepreneurs engaged and motivated.

He said agent banking and mobile financial services have been introduced at digital centres nationwide to expand financial inclusion. 

A Probashi Help Desk is being established at every centre to facilitate remittance withdrawal and provide reintegration services for expatriates, he said.

 Mirza Fakhrul also said initiatives have been taken to establish Skills Fusion Centres to improve youth employability, while training programmes on freelancing and e-commerce are being introduced.

Regarding Madaripur district, the minister told Parliament that 59 Union Parishads currently have 77 entrepreneurs providing citizen services through digital centres.

He said the government's ongoing digitalisation efforts are aimed at expanding technology-based public service delivery and strengthening grassroots access to government services across the country.