Investing in equipment for issuing citizen identification cards at the commune level.

BAC NINH - In communes and wards throughout Bac Ninh province, the "one-stop shop" model, the "integrated one-stop shop" model, and the digitization of documents and online public services have helped reduce inconvenience and significantly save time and costs for the people.

However, based on the practical experience gained after the administrative boundary merger, several internal difficulties have arisen, directly affecting the people.

Typically, in the former Lang Giang district, after the merger of 3 to 5 communes into a new commune, the information technology infrastructure and equipment for digital transformation have not been invested in comprehensively.

The Vân Hà Ward Police are processing applications for National Identity Cards for residents.

This is most evident in the issuance of citizen identification cards. Previously, the authority to issue citizen identification cards belonged to the district level. When communes were merged, only those localities that inherited the old district headquarters and facilities had the necessary machinery to operate them.

In the remaining newly merged communes, due to the lack of equipment, people who want to apply for identity cards have to travel to Lang Giang commune. This long journey is not only inconvenient and time-consuming but also creates apprehension among the people. This is somewhat inconsistent with the goal of digitalization, electronic identification, and the spirit of administrative reform that the entire province is resolutely implementing.

To invest in a new, standardized set of equipment for issuing citizen identification cards at the commune level, approximately 200 million VND is needed. This is a considerable amount of money for the budgets of localities that still face many difficulties.

In the context of the lack of allocated funds from ministries and departments, the Provincial Police have instructed localities to proactively mobilize local resources. Commune-level police forces are actively coordinating with local authorities to propose that the Commune People's Committee provide funding for procurement.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Ngoc Hung, Head of My Thai Commune Police, said: "To solve the immediate problem, we are considering a plan to reduce costs and make maximum use of existing equipment (currently used for electronic identification) and only propose purchasing additional specialized equipment that is mandatory (iris recognition equipment). Regarding personnel, the commune already has a team of regular police officers who are knowledgeable about technology and can fully meet the operational requirements as soon as the equipment is provided."

Issuing citizen identification cards and identity verification accounts is not a matter of a day or two, but a practical, continuous need linked to the lifelong rights of every citizen. Investing in digital infrastructure at the grassroots level is also a concrete implementation of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Besides the proactive efforts of local authorities, all levels of government and relevant agencies need to pay attention to and provide timely support or budget allocation to help communes complete their technological infrastructure, facilitating the process of obtaining identity cards for the people.

Text and photos: Tuan Minh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/dau-tu-trang-thiet-bi-lam-can-cuoc-cong-dan-o-cap-xa-postid446557.bbg