The planning ministry yesterday launched two services to digitalise the formulation of the Annual Development Programme, project preparation capabilities, and develop its overall office management system.

Planning Minister MA Mannan inaugurated the services at an event at the National Economic Council's auditorium.

The two installed services are "Project processing, appraisal and management system" and "Research management system (RMS)".

According to a press release from the ministry, the first software can be used by the agency to draw up project details, send them to the concerned ministry, and after processing, send them to the Planning Commission for approval.

The RMS will help receive research applications from the Social Science Research Council, and select and approve them.

Through the use of these services, the time, cost, and visits required to prepare a project will reduce, and this will ensure transparency and accountability, the press release said.

"We can do everything sitting in our office. Our officials will not have to run after other line ministries to hold meetings about projects," Mannan said.