G2C Services

"G2C Services" stands for "Government to Citizen Services." It is an initiative by the Royal Government of Bhutan to provide various public services to its citizens through digital means. The G2C platform aims to make government services more accessible, efficient, and transparent. The G2C initiative was officially launched in 2010 as part of Bhutan's e-Government strategy. 

G2C provide us with around 17 categories of services. Under each categoreies, there are various services we can avail. Following are the categories of services provided to us:

1. Family: The G2C platform provides a range of family-related services including birth and death registrations, household information updates, and marriage certificates. Judicial services cover personal detail authentication, document attestation, child adoption, organ transplant approvals, and the attestation of agreements and wills. Additionally, services like single/marriage status verification, translation of marriage certificates, lost document recovery, child travel documents, and appointment scheduling are available.

2. Education and Learning: Under the education and learning services for students includes applications for English Proficiency Language Certificates, clerical rechecks of papers, and viewing service charges. It supports applications for KS & UG scholarships, scholarship student joining reports, and scholarship and BSA payments. Students can also apply for studying outside Bhutan, BSA registration, new BSA applications, student loans for tertiary education, and access student information services. Additionally, the platform allows students to apply for marksheets and pass certificates, view Class 10 and 12 results, and apply for adhoc scholarships.

3. Health and Wellness: In the healthcare sector, citizens can book hospital appointments, obtain health certificates, and access birth control services. The Drug Regulatory Authority provides services related to drug approvals and licensing for pharmaceuticals, pharmacy registration and renewal, and drug safety and monitoring, including reporting adverse drug reactions and accessing drug safety information. These services aim to streamline healthcare access and ensure the safe use of pharmaceuticals in Bhutan.

4. Money and Property: The eSakor Portal, launched on January 8, 2019, by the National Land Commission of Bhutan (NLCS), revolutionizes land transaction services by allowing citizens to handle land transactions online without visiting NLCS or Thromde offices. Additionally, the Property Tax System (managed by the Department of Revenue and Customs) enables citizens to manage and pay property taxes efficiently. These services aim to simplify property management and improve accessibility for Bhutanese citizens.

5. Construction and Housing: The G2C platform provides comprehensive services related to construction and housing. It includes registration and renewal services for consultants, specialized trades, contractors, and architects through the Construction Development Board (CDB). Services also cover upgrading contractor licenses, changing contractor details, issuing duplicate certificates, and canceling certificates. For housing, the platform offers housing applications, maintenance forms, and housing clearance requests through the National Housing Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL). Additionally, it facilitates construction approvals, licenses, and information for contractors, consultants, engineers, and surveyors through the Department of Human Settlement (DHS). These services aim to streamline the process of construction and property management in Bhutan.

6. Security and Defence: Through this platform can apply for Security Clearance (No Objection Certificate - NoC) service provided by the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP). This clearance is essential for various purposes, such as visa applications, employment, and other situations requiring proof of a clean criminal record or security status. The service simplifies the process of obtaining security clearances by allowing citizens to apply online, thereby enhancing efficiency and accessibility.

7. Agriculture and Livestock: The G2C platform offers several services to support the agriculture and livestock sector in Bhutan. These services include registration and information management for farmer groups, cooperatives, and federations. The platform also provides tools for managing stakeholder information and conducting annual monitoring and evaluation. These services aim to streamline the administrative processes, improve data management, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural and livestock activities in Bhutan.

8. Business and Tax Services: It provides a variety of business and tax services to streamline administrative processes for entrepreneurs and businesses in Bhutan. Key services include the application for issuance, renewal, change, and cancellation of licenses and certificates. The platform also supports the registration of cottage scale industries, issuance of environment clearances, and integration of wholesale licenses. It facilitates the approval of domestic industry projects, the opening of branch offices or business extensions, and the cancellation of import house registrations.

Specific to the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA), the platform allows for the issuance, renewal, change, and cancellation of licenses, as well as extensions and application resubmissions. For foreign direct investment (FDI), services include the issuance of FDI registration certificates and project approvals. These services aim to enhance business operations and regulatory compliance in Bhutan.

9. Thromde Utility Service:  Under this category, G2C provides comprehensive range of Thromde utility services to efficiently manage urban infrastructure and utilities. These services include facilitating the building construction application process, issuing building occupancy certificates, and providing new water line connections. Residents can also request water pipeline shifting, water disconnection and reconnection, and water meter replacements. The platform supports the upgradation or downsizing of water connections and sewer connections to the main sewer line. Additionally, vacuum tanker services for sewage management are available. For any issues or suggestions, residents can send feedback or lodge complaints regarding utility services. These services aim to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of urban utility management for residents in Bhutan.

10. Tourism, Passport and Visa: It provides essential services for tourism, passports, and visas. This includes permit and visa services managed by the Department of Immigration (DOI), facilitating the application process for various permits and visas. Additionally, the platform supports the issuance of passports through the Department of Passport (DOP), making it easier for citizens to apply for and renew their passports. These services aim to streamline travel and tourism-related administrative processes, enhancing convenience and efficiency for both citizens and visitors.

11. Justice, Law and Grievances: The G2C platform offers services for addressing legal and consumer grievances through two main systems. eKassel and eDesk are designed for consumer grievance redressal related to unfair trade practices. These systems handle complaints about deceptive or fraudulent business practices that cause harm to consumers. eKassel focuses on redressing grievances related to unfair trade practices, while eDesk addresses broader issues including violations of consumer protection laws. Both platforms aim to provide an efficient mechanism for resolving disputes and ensuring consumer rights are upheld.

12. Pension Services: The G2C platform provides comprehensive pension and benefits services to support retired individuals and their families. The services aim to streamline the administration of pensions, ensuring timely and accurate distribution of funds to retirees and beneficiaries. These services help simplify the retirement process and provide financial security for those who have completed their service.

13. Transport and Infrastructure: The eRaLIS system simplifies transport and infrastructure services, making payments and approvals hassle-free. Users can manage their vehicle-related needs efficiently, including applying for and renewing learner licenses, booking driving tests, and handling payments through their application number. The platform also supports renewing and replacing registration certificates and driving licenses, obtaining road worthiness certificates, transferring vehicle ownership, and paying fines. With an improved user interface, the process flow is faster, providing instant approvals and enhancing overall convenience for vehicle management and road safety.

14. Life Event: The G2C platform streamlines various life events by offering services for marriage and birth registration, travel documents, vehicle management, student services, healthcare access, business needs, job searches, retirement planning, housing, and death registration. These services enhance efficiency and user-friendliness, catering to the diverse needs of citizens during significant life events.

15. Online Payment: The G2C platform offers an Online Payment Service allowing citizens to pay for any service available on the platform using any bank account. This service streamlines the payment process, making it convenient and efficient for users to complete transactions online. Citizens can click on the provided link to access and utilize the online payment service.

16. Environment and Forest: The G2C platform includes the Rural Timber Permit Process, which facilitates the allocation of subsidized timber for constructing rural houses. The applicant must be the Head of Gung with land registered in their name where the construction will take place. Eligibility is limited to one rural house construction per applicant, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.

17. Cultural Affairs: The G2C platform offers an Online Permit for Export of Non-Antiques system managed by the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development. This system issues online permits for exporting non-antique items to prevent illicit trafficking of antiquities. The process is designed to be convenient and user-friendly, ensuring permits are processed within one working day if accurate information and clear images are provided.

1. Convenience: Services are accessible online, reducing the need for physical visits to government offices.

2. Efficiency: Streamlined processes and faster approvals save time for users.

3. 24/7 Availability: Citizens can access services at any time, providing flexibility and accessibility.

4. Transparency: Clear procedures and online tracking enhance transparency and accountability in service delivery.

5. Cost-Effective: Reduces travel and administrative costs for both citizens and the government.

6. Accessibility: Services are available to people in remote and rural areas, bridging the gap between urban and rural access to government services.

7. Improved Data Management: Digital records are easier to manage, update, and retrieve, improving overall data management.

1. Digital Literacy: Low digital literacy rates, especially in rural areas, can limit the effective use of online services.

2. Internet Connectivity: Limited or unstable internet access in remote areas can hinder the use of online services.

3. Technical Issues: Platform stability, technical glitches, and slow performance can disrupt service delivery.

4. Data Security and Privacy: Protecting sensitive personal information is crucial, and any breaches can undermine trust in the system.

5. Accessibility Challenges: Services may not be available in all local languages, and the platform needs to be accessible to people with disabilities.

6. Resistance to Change: Both citizens and government employees may resist shifting from traditional methods to new digital ones.

7. Economic Barriers: The cost of internet access and digital devices can be prohibitive for some citizens, limiting their ability to use G2C services.

8. Customer Support: Effective support for users who encounter problems or have questions about using the services is essential but can be challenging to provide comprehensively.