“The Government is according high priority to various e-governance initiatives. For improving e-governance, communication is a key ingredient and that is why we have decided to connect secretaries of the central government and chief secretaries of the states through Executive Video Conferencing System (EVCS) over internet protocol involving less communication cost as it would enable them to take decisions expeditiously,” Secretary, Planning Commission Subas Pani said.
The entire concept has been mooted by the commission and is being implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) whose internet protocol will be utilised for the purpose. An expenditure of about Rs 1.5 crore would be incurred for the programme. The secretaries currently use the RAX system, which is a hotline between them for communicating in times of need. The new system will enable virtual meetings between them and ensure a quick response during crisis situations like natural disasters. The government had initially decided to install EVCS for the union secretaries, but after a review it decided to extend the same to state chief secretaries, Pani said.
The project would be executed by NIC and the existing Internet Protocol based network infrastructure-NICNET will be used for providing high-speed bandwidth needed for good quality video-conferencing which can be simultaneously carried out in eight EVCS at a time. A key advantage of the system is sharing of data in video conferencing mode. The RAX system will continue to be used by the ministers. A total of 120 desk-top video conferencing hardware would be installed as of now at the centre besides in all states and union territories. As of now one such hardware has been installed in the office of the Orissa chief secretary.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Priyadarshi Siddhanta
Quelle/Source: Indian Express, 24.09.2008
