Installed the requisite IT set-up for establishing internet connectivity at Raj Bhawan, Jammu.
A new, high-tech and state of the art Wi-fi network at Civil Secretariat, Jammu has been completed by IT Department in F.Y. 2020-21. This technology is based on Software-defined Wi-Fi 6 Network which is among the best contemporary technologies in the field. The latest system has strong monitoring tools that can keep a constant watch on the performance parameters of the system. Similar wi-fi set up has been successfully put in place in Civil Secretariat, Srinagar. The Department plans to have a robust LAN set up at both the Civil Secretariats, along with a dedicated high bandwidth lease line to cater to the increasing data requirement of Administrative Departments of Civil Secretariat, J&K, in the near future.
It is an ambitious programme of Government of J&K to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions. In the initial phase, 44 Digital village Centres (DVCs) are being established, at-least two in each district of the UT of J&K at Gram Panchayat Level. 44 Panchayat Ghars identified by concerned District Commissioners have been digitally equipped. The proposed DVCs are set to be established by the end of current F.Y. and will be equipped with IT infrastructure and connectivity. DVCs shall act as a one stop service solution at the village level and provide services like Wi-Fi Hotspots, telemedicine, Agricultural support service, digital payments and other G2C/B2C services. IT department, with active support of Finance Department, plans to establish more such DVCs in rest of the Gram Panchayats of J&K, in near future.
IT Department has completed the digitization of official record of Administrative Departments within Civil Secretariat. The data uploading to Document Management System (DMS) is completed. Further, IT Department is actively assisting other move offices, which are outside the Civil Secretariat premises, in digitizing their official data, so that smooth transition to e-office can be made.
In a landmark decision, Government of J&K has decided to introduce e-office in all the Administrative Departments. IT Department is at the forefront of this effort and has already set targets to meeting the objective. Revamping of Wi-Fi Network at both the civil secretariats, procurement of e-office licenses etc., has already been done for the departments. Besides, robust LAN networking at both the Civil Secretariats, establishment of near Data centre at Srinagar, DR Site in different seismic zone are being actively pursued by IT department to make paperless office in Civil Secretariat, J&K a reality. Capacity building / training programmes for officers & officials of all administrative departments have been started w.e.f 31st March 2021 and it is targeted that Civil Secretariat, J&K shall completely switch over to e-office mode of functioning in April 2021.
In line with the vision of the Government to usher in Digital revolution as well as to make use of Information Technology in a big way in Governance in UT of J&K, IT Department, got the proposal of Modernization, management and operation of Data Centre, Jammu & Kashmir approved from the Administrative Council, so as to make it at par with the contemporary Data Centre, equipped with best of infrastructure, operations and security. Currently the project is under execution and is expected to be completed in FY 2021-22.
Information Technology Department has selected System Integrator under the Project and most of the sites are ready with Civil Works and provisioned with requisite IT Infrastructure. A total of 188 PoP’s including SHQ, 20 SHQ and 167 BHQ shall be horizontally and vertically connected to provide a secure network for working in Government Offices. The tender for selection of internet service provider has also been issued.
Embarking on the mission of providing Government services online to citizens, Information Technology Department has developed an online application for applying for and issuance of Domicile certificate in favour of domiciles of UT of J&K. Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K, on June 22, 2020 launched the e-application-cum-issuance of domicile certificate in J&K, paving way for the first domicile certificate to be granted through online mode. IT Department is now providing 27 Government to Citizen (G2C) services to citizens of J&K, thereby enhancing the quality of life in UT of J&K, especially in COVID-19 times when the thrust is on delivery of Govt. Services through digital platform. IT department will continue to assist other departments in providing more citizen centric services through online mode.
The administration in Jammu and Kashmir has launched a massive outreach programme for participatory governance in the Union Territory with the start of the radio programme 'Awam Ki Baat' on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio programme 'Mann KiBaat'. The online website/ electronic platform for the programme has been provided by JaKeGA, implementing agency of IT department. The radio show will allow the citizens to interact with the government and give their feedback on issues of governance. The initiative has been taken to make governance interactive, participatory and people-centric. The idea is to make people active stakeholders in policy-making decisions.
This flagship programme to provide internet broadband connectivity up to Gram Panchayat (G.P) level is being implemented directly by Telecom Ministry, GoI through Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) in J&K. Information Technology Department, the nodal Department, shall continue to facilitate coordination with all the concerned stakeholders under the project. The recently issued J&K RoW Policy will also help speed up the laying of optical fibre in J&K by way of granting fast clearances. 988 G.Ps in J&K have been made service ready ending February, 2021 by laying of 778.009 kms of optical fibre and VSAT connectivity by BBNL.
