They said only seven to 10 percent of the total population has been registered highlighting the on-going birth registration activities and its challenges.

The roundtable titled ' Birth registration in Bangladesh: Problems and responsibilities' was organised jointly by the Prothom Alo, Plan Bangladesh and the Unicef at a city hotel on the eve of the Universal Birth Registration Day tomorrow.

The government is going to observe the day in a befitting manner to boost the programme that targets to cover 80 percent birth registration by December 2008.

The speakers said birth registration would help in formulating policy at regional and national level, conducting survey, controlling crime and bringing back the irregular migrants from abroad.

But the progress of birth registration is very slow in the country due to lack of manpower and awareness among the people, they added.

Publicity for birth registration is not enough to make people aware of it, said Chief Health Officer of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Colonel Dr Mohammad Shawkat Ali, adding it would be tough to complete the work on time.

He said taskforce has been formed at central, zonal and ward level to boost the work and training of the trainers has also been completed.

Dr Shawkat said currently ten officers of DCC have been issuing birth certificates.

The registration is going on directly through schoolteachers and health and family welfare workers, he added.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, country director of Hunger Project, said the information that could be derived from birth registration will be helpful in preparing the voter list.

Terming the birth registration form as unfriendly Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Shakhawat Hossain said it should be simplified.

There are around 50 lakh members of Ansars and Village Defence Parties (VDPs) who can assist in filling the birth registration forms, he said, adding that Upazila Health Complexes could be involved in this process.

He said the government hospitals should be authorised to issue birth certificate.

Speaking as chief guest LGRD and Cooperatives Adviser Anwarul Iqbal Chowdhury said care should be taken so that the registration form is available in the web site.

He said a drive in the schools in this regard could be launched in January when the students generally get admission there.

Meanwhile, the religious leaders could be involved with this programme, he added.

Executive Director of Steps Towards Development Ranjan Karmakar said the on-going birth registration process should be acceptable to all to advance the programme.

"The rate of birth registration is insignificant as we could not prove it as essential for all," said Director General of Primary Education Asaduzzaman, adding that the process should be easier and concise.

The speakers said the positive sides of birth registration should be adequately publicised through electronic and print media.

A central database structure is also needed in this regard, they added.

Salma Ali of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association, Azizur Rahman of Unicef, LGRD Secretary Safarraj, Fatema Yusuf of Centre for Policy Dialogue and Maj Gen Shafikul Islam were also present at the roundtable moderated by Joint Editor of the Prothom Alo Abdul Quaiyum.