People seeking services from cantonment boards can now apply online for trade licences, citizenship certificates, and water and electricity connections.
Nineteen types of civic services offered by 15 cantonment boards across Bangladesh have been added to the government services platform myGov.
A total of 185 online application forms have been made available for these services across the boards.
The initiative was formally launched at a virtual ceremony on Monday afternoon (19 October). Muhammad Anwar Uddin, Project Director (Additional Charge) of Aspire to Innovate (a2i) and an Additional Secretary, attended as the chief guest.
Shamim Ahammed, Director General of the Department of Military Lands and Cantonments (DMLC), chaired the ceremony and delivered remarks. Md. Kamrul Hassan, Joint Secretary (e-Governance) of the Cabinet Division and Joint Project Director of a2i, attended as the special guest.
Others who addressed the ceremony included Sheikh Zahidul Islam, Director (Administration and Education) of DMLC; Md. Abdul Karim, Cantonment Executive Officer of Rajshahi Cantonment Board; and Sheheley Layla, Cantonment Executive Officer of Savar Cantonment Board. Officials from DMLC and a2i, along with executive officers of the other 13 cantonment boards, also participated.
The services were integrated into myGov at the initiative of DMLC, under the Ministry of Defence. The initiative was implemented under the overall supervision of the Cabinet Division, with support from a2i.
Under the new system, service users can apply from home, pay fees online where applicable, and obtain certificates bearing QR codes. They can also track the progress of their applications and provide feedback on services. The QR codes can be used to verify the relevant documents.
The services now available on myGov include citizenship, inheritance, character and family certificates; trade licences; identity card services; water and electricity connections; and vehicle passes. They also include permits for road excavation or cutting, licences for rickshaws, vans and auto-rickshaws, permission to keep pets, and developer enlistment.
Organisers said that under the conventional system, service users had to visit cantonment board offices to submit applications and supporting documents, pay fees and collect certificates. Obtaining even a single service often required multiple visits, causing inconvenience and additional expenditure of time and money. The initiative aims to reduce these difficulties and make services easier to access.
Work on the initiative began in February 2025, when two services of Dhaka Cantonment Board were introduced on myGov on a pilot basis. Steps were subsequently taken to bring the services of the remaining 14 boards online.
In March this year, three workshops reviewed 63 types of civic services and identified 19 core service types.
Seven regional workshops were then held to review and finalise the online application forms, service fees and service delivery procedures. In August and September, 140 officials and staff members received practical training.
The cantonment boards will be able to receive applications, verify information, conduct inquiries, process requests and make final decisions through the same platform.
Organisers said the initiative aims to reduce reliance on paper in official work and improve transparency and accountability in service management.
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