The common core infrastructure includes state-wide area networks, state data centres and common service centres. The projects, according to minister of state for information technology, Shakeel Ahmed, are aimed at improving the e-readiness index of the country.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Monday, he said according to the e-government readiness report of the United Nations, India was ranked 87 out of 191 countries, whereas China was in the 57th position and Brazil in the 33rd position.
The UPA has given e-governance pride of place on its agenda and started spadework on the NeGP. Finance minister P Chidambaram reiterated this in his Budget speech.
He said it was the government’s intention to bring a number of services online in a web-based mode, including applications under the Right to Information Act, applications for house sites, ration cards, transfer of teachers, inclusion in electoral roll, filing of police complaints, issue of birth and death certificates and copies of land records.
He said the NeGP would be approved shortly and 25 projects in mission mode would be launched in ’06-07. Among them, Project MCA-21 to enable companies file returns electronically, common service centres and assigning of unique ID to BPL families.
Working towards the NeGP, the DIT has already started a scheme in March ’05 to establish state wide area networks (SWANs) to provide minimum data connectivity of 2Mbps up to the block level. A total outlay of Rs 3,334 crore with a central assistance component of Rs 2,005 crore to cover capital and operating expenditure over a period of five years has been approved.
In addition, all states and union territories have been provided funds for capacity building under the special scheme of additional central assistance (ACA) to states for the NeGP.
Under the common service centre proposal, 100,000 ICT-enabled kiosks would be established predominantly in rural areas across the country. They would offer a mix of services — both government and private and would also cater to specific needs of local communities.
Mr Ahmed said technical inputs and suggestions from the IT industry including multinational IT companies would be obtained and incorporated into the various e-governance initiatives as appropriate.
Quelle: The Economic Times, 14.03.2006
