Bhutan security clearance certificate available online will happen this month

The long time awaited move to make security clearance certificate available online will happen this month, provided things go as planned.

The home ministry postponed its launch more than twice before.

Although the ministry officials claim the system was well in place, home minister Minjur Dorji said the launch would happen soon after the return of the director-in-charge, who was engaged in official work elsewhere.

A month before, ministry officials said they were waiting for the minister and secretary’s return, who were attending the mid-term review meetings then.

In December last year, the ministry had planned to go online starting January this year. They had missed the initial deadline of March 2010, because of the time spent in visiting the 20 dzongkhags for sensitisation program.

The ministry’s information and media officer, Jigme Singye, said everything was in place, but they are yet to finalise the launch date.

In an earlier interview, he said once the system was introduced, anyone across the country with an internet access, can avail the certificate within 24 hours.

He said an applicant’s information would go in parallel to the crime branch, census office and the law and order section of the home ministry. After verifying the details, the final version of the certificate will be sent to the police, from where it was to be discharged to the applicant.

Everyday, more than 100 people visit the royal Bhutan police’s security clearance office, in an attempt to avail the certificate. Some wait for at least a week before the job gets done.

Source: Kuenselonline

Bhutan: online system Security Clearance Certificate

The initiative to ease obtaining security clearance certificate (SCC) through an online system will run on a trial basis, starting today, for a month.

The system will be formally launched after June 11, to allow people from any part of the country with internet facility to process the certificate online. “It’ll take time to reach everywhere instantly, because some places aren’t connected with internet,” said home ministry’s assistant information and media officer, Jigme Singye.

Villagers would have to visit police outposts, which would be equipped with the new system, until the facility is extended to the 205 gewog administration offices. “The gewog administrative officer will guide villagers to register online.” Jigme Singye said. If the gewog is not connected with internet, villagers will have to go to dzongkhag police station.

Jigme Singye said that, along with the trial run, they would observe how helpful the system was and get views and feedback from the people. “Through feedback, if required, then we’ll advance the system,” he said. “We’ll also study how many people apply for the certificate in a day.”

Security clearance certificate is one of the most important document a Bhutanese must have to apply for citizenship, employment, licenses, higher education, promotions, travel documents and loans.

SCC generated through the trial run will however remain invalid. “People should follow the regular procedure to produce certificates till then.” Jigme said.

With the system, an applicant is expected to receive the certificate within 24 hours of registration. Applicants will have the option of checking the status of their applications. Depending on applicants’ information, certificates will either be approved, left pending or rejected by law and order bureau, census and registration division and the police in Thimphu.

With the new update system, applicants can check the status of their application with citizenship card instead of memorising a unique number to track the status. People can re-submit the SCC application, if it is rejected or is left pending, without having to repeat the whole process with just the use of an identity card.

Once the formalities are done, no paper certificate as such will be issued, but a soft copy would be e-mailed to the concerned person. “The whole idea of not letting the applicants print SCC is to be make the system environment-friendly,” Jigme said.

The service is available at http://scs.rbp.gov.bt.

Source: Kuenselonline