Lithuanian Information System

This habratopik is written in the footsteps of the article “Information System of Estonia” , which describes in detail the state information system of Estonia and its convenience for ordinary residents of the country. Having noticed what a lively discussion the article provoked, I suggested that it might be interesting for someone to find out about other similar projects existing in the territory of the former USSR, and tried to describe a similar system functioning in Lithuania.

This system is called the “Electronic Power Gate” (lit. Valdžios elektroniniai vartai) and is registered at www.govonline.lt , www.evaldzia.lt and www.epaslaugos.lt(the latter are translated respectively e-government and e-services). The e-government portal cost taxpayers € 1.7 million and is part of the pan-European project eGovernment in Europe .



Currently, only the Lithuanian and English versions exist, despite the fact that Polish-speaking and Russian-speaking residents make up 6.74% and 6.31% of the total population of the country, respectively.

As in the Estonian counterpart, it is possible to join the system using:
• an identity card that replaces a passport in the EU;
• a special electronic card, which is easy to order;
• the local Internet bank whose services you use.



By joining the portal, in the "My Information" section you have the opportunity to view, supplement and change some personal data. It is also possible to ask a question directly to the relevant institution and receive an answer through internal mail. In addition, a feedback system works, where it is possible to make appropriate proposals and wishes or objectively substantiate your claims in the hope that the deficiencies will be corrected.

Services

All services provided are divided into two categories: 8 groups of services for entrepreneurs and 12 for ordinary citizens. I will casually describe the most popular services from the second category.

Firstly, it is the declaration of income and the return of overpaid taxes, which is extremely convenient, efficient and also significantly saves your time (verified by personal experience).

Secondly, the ability to declare your place of residence. For example, if a Lithuanian citizen permanently resides abroad and has not declared this, compulsory health insurance (something around EUR20 per month) is credited to him. Such a “tax” is imposed on the unemployed, and the money goes directly to the Health Insurance Fund (the employer pays for the employed).

And accordingly, on the contrary, when you arrive in the country or change your place of residence within the country itself, to declare a new place of residence using this system, you will send a corresponding request to the landlord / owners of real estate in which you intend to “register". After receiving confirmation, you are automatically “reckoned” with this property.

The system contains all the information about your current and previous places of employment, thus replacing the work book. It also allows you to register with a doctor or get an online consultation, register at a university, register a car or change a driver’s license, look for a job and post your CV, apply for social services. payments and compensation (for unemployment, scholarships, large families), contains legal acts and various forms of filling out documents.

A digital signature service is provided. With its help, you can easily sign your own or verify the signature of the received document and make sure that the addressee is exactly who he claims to be.

Unfortunately, at the moment the system often simply organizes the information of the respective centers and, if necessary, for some services simply redirects the client to the page he needs. But it’s also convenient, implementing a “one-stop-shop” system and eliminating the need to walk along the “corridors of power” in electronic space.

conclusions

Summing up, I want to note that the capabilities of the system are significantly inferior to the Estonian counterpart, but every year new functions are added (for example, it was decided to combine diplomatic services in the e-konsulatas project). In addition, the ever-increasing number of users (especially in rural areas) shows that the system has a future.