BENGALURU: THE Information Techonology ministry is planning to usher in better IT services in villages. It has proposed to provide high-speed Internet connectivity to village panchayat offices across the state and to government schools in rural areas.
This will help citizens fill forms like land record, phani, Aadhar and many more within a few minutes in panchayat offices. At government schools, it will help them get uninterrupted Satellite-based EduSat programmes.
Speaking to Express, newly-inducted IT minister Priyank Kharge said, “There are presumptions that our department is urban-oriented. But, in this IT era, there is a need to utilise Internet in a better way at the villages.”
The minister said there are over 5,500 village panchayat offices in Karnataka and in the first phase they will cover 3,000 offices, by the end of this financial year.
“This will help villagers get online seva like khata, phani, Aadhar and many other citizen services,” he said.
Citing an example, Kharge said, at Village panchayat office in his assembly constituency (Chittapur in Kalaburagi district), only seven forms are filled in a day as the Internet connection is very slow. “People have to wait in a long queue and it is time-consuming. With high-speed Internet, more forms can be filled in less time,” he said.
Minister also said that they are also planning to get high-speed Internet connectivity in government schools. “At present they don’t have better Internet connection. With our support, they will be able to utilise it for Edusat programmes and many more services that will enable the children to learn through virtual set up,” Kharge said.
Startup Booster Kits
Kharge said they will be launching Startup Booster Kits on Monday to facilitate startup companies. “Startup Booster Kit service will be provided to those who register with the Department of IT, BT and S&T. The service includes: any assistance in accounting, legal, subsidy for software and more. Also, they can even tap into State government funds and projects. We have plans for an integrated startup cell and the booster kits,” he added.