Sudesh Kumar Sood* & Neelam Sharma** *Selection Grade Librarian, Postgraduate Govt. College, Una, H.P.

** Deputy Librarian, A C Joshi Library, Panjab University, Chandigarh

E-governance service delivery: an assessment of Community Information Centre projects of Himachal Pradesh

11

IntroductionIntroduction

State of State of Himachal Pradesh has been blessedHimachal Pradesh has been blessed with an enormous with an enormous potential of ITpotential of IT. .

Every government attempts continuously to bring maximum benefit Every government attempts continuously to bring maximum benefit and happiness to majority of its citizens. and happiness to majority of its citizens.

If the government takes If the government takes recourse to electronic means in delivery of recourse to electronic means in delivery of public servicespublic services, then no wonder, it becomes easier and this process of , then no wonder, it becomes easier and this process of the government is the government is nothing but e-Governancenothing but e-Governance. State has tremendous . State has tremendous potential to potential to make it to the top notchesmake it to the top notches in the field of e-Governance. in the field of e-Governance.

State has received nine National Awards for its consummations in the State has received nine National Awards for its consummations in the field of e-Governance field of e-Governance

Various projects like e-Procurement, e-District, Human Resource Various projects like e-Procurement, e-District, Human Resource Management System (HRMS), Management Information System Management System (HRMS), Management Information System (HMIS)(HMIS), , HIMSWAN, and Grievance Redressal System, various core ICT HIMSWAN, and Grievance Redressal System, various core ICT infrastructure projects like Integrated Community Service Center (i-infrastructure projects like Integrated Community Service Center (i-CoSC) or SUGAM, Himachal Pradesh State Data Center, Secretariat CoSC) or SUGAM, Himachal Pradesh State Data Center, Secretariat LAN and Hi-Tech City & Software Technology Park are in the process LAN and Hi-Tech City & Software Technology Park are in the process of implementationof implementation..

22

Community Information ServicesCommunity Information Services CIS is a combination of two terms, i.e., Community and CIS is a combination of two terms, i.e., Community and

Information Information information is a message, communicated by a information is a message, communicated by a

communicator to a receiver communicator to a receiver community is defined as “a group of people who have community is defined as “a group of people who have

something common. something common. CI is information for the survival and growth of the CI is information for the survival and growth of the

community, or information required by members of the community, or information required by members of the community to make effective use of the available resources community to make effective use of the available resources around them.around them.

The information service through which CI is provided to The information service through which CI is provided to communities is called Community Information Service (CIS). communities is called Community Information Service (CIS).

33

Objectives of CICs Objectives of CICs

To establish IT infrastructure at the block level To establish IT infrastructure at the block level To create IT awareness amongst the local populace To create IT awareness amongst the local populace To provide Internet services such as E-mail and Web To provide Internet services such as E-mail and Web

access access To conduct computer based training programmes To conduct computer based training programmes To provide Citizen Centric services To provide Citizen Centric services To provide access to Socio-Economic databases To provide access to Socio-Economic databases To facilitate distance education To facilitate distance education To use IT tools for sustainable regional development. To use IT tools for sustainable regional development.

44

Scope of CICs Scope of CICs

Computer and communication infrastructureComputer and communication infrastructure have been set up in each have been set up in each block and are located in Community and Rural Development building block and are located in Community and Rural Development building

CIC is equipped with CIC is equipped with a VSAT, computer systems, printers and networking a VSAT, computer systems, printers and networking equipment. equipment.

CICs will CICs will not only facilitate the region to avail the benefits of global not only facilitate the region to avail the benefits of global connectivity through Internet, but will also bring the region closer, connectivity through Internet, but will also bring the region closer, emotionally, to the national mainstream by enabling more efficient and emotionally, to the national mainstream by enabling more efficient and faster information flow amongst the peoplefaster information flow amongst the people, State Governments and the , State Governments and the Central Government. Central Government.

Establishment of Establishment of CICs wilCICs will l help bridge the digital dividehelp bridge the digital divide. . Local language interfaces Local language interfaces are expected to be provided for Citizen Centric are expected to be provided for Citizen Centric

services. services. The project The project creates a knowledge based society creates a knowledge based society and skill enhancement in and skill enhancement in

the blocks the blocks

55

National e Governance Plan(NeGP) of India and Common Service Center(CSC)National e Governance Plan(NeGP) of India and Common Service Center(CSC)

Approved by the Union Cabinet in May, 2006-Approved by the Union Cabinet in May, 2006- The NeGP, comprising of The NeGP, comprising of 27 27 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)and 8 componentsand 8 components--------Vision of NeGP-“Make all Government Vision of NeGP-“Make all Government services accessible to the COMMON MAN IN HIS LOCALITY, through Common Service services accessible to the COMMON MAN IN HIS LOCALITY, through Common Service Delivery Outlets and ensure EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY & RELIABILITY of such Delivery Outlets and ensure EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY & RELIABILITY of such services at AFFORDABLE COSTS to realize the BASIC NEEDS of the common man.services at AFFORDABLE COSTS to realize the BASIC NEEDS of the common man.

CSC is one of the main integrated mission mode projects of national e governance plan (NeGP) CSC is one of the main integrated mission mode projects of national e governance plan (NeGP) of India. of India.

The The objective is to develop a platform that can enable government, private and social sector objective is to develop a platform that can enable government, private and social sector organizations to align their social and commercial goals for the benefit of the rural population in organizations to align their social and commercial goals for the benefit of the rural population in the remotest corners of countrythe remotest corners of country through a combination of IT-based as well as non-IT-based through a combination of IT-based as well as non-IT-based servicesservices

The The goal of the CSC Project is to empower the rural community and catalyse social change goal of the CSC Project is to empower the rural community and catalyse social change through modern technologies. through modern technologies.

The The Government has approved a Common Services Centres (CSCs) Scheme for providing Government has approved a Common Services Centres (CSCs) Scheme for providing support for establishing 100,000 Common Services Centers in 600,000villages of India on support for establishing 100,000 Common Services Centers in 600,000villages of India on “honey –comb model” i.e. each CSC will cover six villages“honey –comb model” i.e. each CSC will cover six villages . CSC . CSC scheme comprises –scheme comprises –technological, organizational and service framework.technological, organizational and service framework. ‘The ‘The CSCs are envisaged to provide high CSCs are envisaged to provide high quality and cost effective video and data services in the areas of e-governance, education, health, quality and cost effective video and data services in the areas of e-governance, education, health, agriculture, entertainment as well as other private servicesagriculture, entertainment as well as other private services ..

•

66

Rationale for Internet connected service delivery kiosk(CSC) in rural Rationale for Internet connected service delivery kiosk(CSC) in rural IndiaIndia

To To bridge the urban and ruralbridge the urban and rural developmental and developmental and digital dividedigital divide in India in India

Enhancing Enhancing empowerment to rural people through access to government information/public empowerment to rural people through access to government information/public services(e-governance) at their door step.services(e-governance) at their door step.

Reduce the poverty in rural area through : (i)increasing job opportunity, (ii)enhancing Reduce the poverty in rural area through : (i)increasing job opportunity, (ii)enhancing empowerment, (iii) improving financial security. Opportunity makes markets work for the empowerment, (iii) improving financial security. Opportunity makes markets work for the poor and expands poor people’s assetspoor and expands poor people’s assets. Empowerment makes state institutions work better for . Empowerment makes state institutions work better for poor people and removes social barriers.poor people and removes social barriers. Security helps poor people manage risk. Security helps poor people manage risk.

New New access to knowledge ,information and education in the remotest part of Indiaaccess to knowledge ,information and education in the remotest part of India . . Village Village knowledge center will integrate with world knowledge economyknowledge center will integrate with world knowledge economy through IT-BPO services. through IT-BPO services.

Achieve Achieve an inclusive growth in Indiaan inclusive growth in India to include the large proportion to include the large proportion of underprivileged of underprivileged section of society into growth processsection of society into growth process .The .The ultimate goalultimate goal is is to improve the economic to improve the economic condition and improve the living standard of rural peoplecondition and improve the living standard of rural people to fuel the growth of India to fuel the growth of India..

77

Technological framework of CSCTechnological framework of CSC

Technological framework of CSCs is based on the core infrastructure of National e Networks Technological framework of CSCs is based on the core infrastructure of National e Networks (SWANs), State Data Centres (SDCs) and Common Services Centers (CSCs)(SWANs), State Data Centres (SDCs) and Common Services Centers (CSCs)

All services supported by 3 infrastructure pillars to facilitate All services supported by 3 infrastructure pillars to facilitate web-enabled Anytime, Anywhere web-enabled Anytime, Anywhere access-access-(i)Connectivity: State Wide Area Networks (SWANs)/NICNET; (ii) National Data Bank/ (i)Connectivity: State Wide Area Networks (SWANs)/NICNET; (ii) National Data Bank/ State Data Centres ( SDCs); (iii)Common Service Centres (CSCs): primary mode of deliver.State Data Centres ( SDCs); (iii)Common Service Centres (CSCs): primary mode of deliver.

There is a There is a National Data Center (NICNET)National Data Center (NICNET) which is connected to all government department and which is connected to all government department and agencies of central and state government of India to their respective state data centers(SDC).agencies of central and state government of India to their respective state data centers(SDC).

Main role of Main role of State Data Centres (SDC)State Data Centres (SDC) are securing and hosting of data and its application Its be to are securing and hosting of data and its application Its be to act as the- Central repository of the State, provide secure data storage, disaster recovery and remote act as the- Central repository of the State, provide secure data storage, disaster recovery and remote management functions etc. management functions etc.

State Wide Area Network(SWAN) is serving government to government (G2G) services and State Wide Area Network(SWAN) is serving government to government (G2G) services and government to citizen services(G2C), especially for various mission mode projects(MMPs) like government to citizen services(G2C), especially for various mission mode projects(MMPs) like CSC.CSC.

CSCs are broad band enable service provider kiosk having at least following technical CSCs are broad band enable service provider kiosk having at least following technical infrastructure-two P.C.s/laptop ,two printer ,web/digital camera, wireless connectivity infrastructure-two P.C.s/laptop ,two printer ,web/digital camera, wireless connectivity ,UPS/invertor/ generator,UPS/invertor/ generator. .

88

Technological framework of CSCTechnological framework of CSC

99

Organisational Framework of CSCOrganisational Framework of CSC

The CSC scheme is being coordinated by a The CSC scheme is being coordinated by a National Level Service agency (NLSA) National Level Service agency (NLSA) appointed by appointed by Department of Information Technology, Government of India( DIT), which oversees a 3-tier Department of Information Technology, Government of India( DIT), which oversees a 3-tier implementation framework-implementation framework-

(i) The framework consists of (i) The framework consists of State designated agencies (SDAs)--State designated agencies (SDAs)--to facilitate implementation of the to facilitate implementation of the Scheme within the State and to provide requisite policy, content and other support to the SCAs Scheme within the State and to provide requisite policy, content and other support to the SCAs

(ii) (ii) Service centre agencies (SCAs) Service centre agencies (SCAs) at the second/middle level (‘franchiser’, for one or more districts) at the second/middle level (‘franchiser’, for one or more districts) - It operate, manage and build the village level network of CSCs and business. They are the prime driver of - It operate, manage and build the village level network of CSCs and business. They are the prime driver of this scheme. this scheme.

(iii) At the third level there are the local (iii) At the third level there are the local Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE-loosely Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE-loosely analogous to a analogous to a franchise),to deliver the service to the rural consumers in a cluster of six 6 villages. VLEs are selected by franchise),to deliver the service to the rural consumers in a cluster of six 6 villages. VLEs are selected by SCAs.SCAs.

Implementation Status Of CSC-Implementation Status Of CSC- As on 28th February 2011, a total of 90,018 CSCs have As on 28th February 2011, a total of 90,018 CSCs have been rolled out in thirty one States/UTs. 100% CSCs have been rolled out in 11 (Eleven) been rolled out in thirty one States/UTs. 100% CSCs have been rolled out in 11 (Eleven) States (Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Manipur, Pondicherry, States (Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Manipur, Pondicherry, Sikkim & Tripura). More than 70% of the rollout has been completed in 12 (Twelve) States .It Sikkim & Tripura). More than 70% of the rollout has been completed in 12 (Twelve) States .It is expected that the roll out of 100,000 CSCs would be completed by March 2011is expected that the roll out of 100,000 CSCs would be completed by March 2011 ..

1010

• Three essential resources necessary for rural development viz., Information, Infrastructure and Services

• Access to information, with relevant infrastructure, end-to-end services allow rural population to enhance their quality of life

• By enabling access to a large number of e-gov services like, education, health, credit, etc. CSCs offer a solid foundation for economic prosperity of rural India

Low IncomeLack of Info/

Knowledge/ Goods/ Services

Lack of Income Generating

Opportunities

Lack of Skills Poverty

The CSC scheme: elevating rural India

1111

The Service model

The power of the CSC would lie in its focus on content customization and

multi-lingual delivery of End-to-End Services

E-Government Services

Market Linkages

Education, Healthcare, Agricultural

Extension, etc

Entertainment

Save Costs

Quality of Life

Social Development

Create Income Opportunities

Value-adds

Save Costs

Create Income Opportunities

Data Collection, Rural BPOs

etc

1212

Service Framework of CSCsService Framework of CSCs

The Common Services Centers (CSC) are proposed to be the delivery points for Government, Private and The Common Services Centers (CSC) are proposed to be the delivery points for Government, Private and Social Sector services to rural citizens of India at their doorstep . The CSC Scheme is envisaged to be a Social Sector services to rural citizens of India at their doorstep . The CSC Scheme is envisaged to be a

bottom-up model bottom-up model for delivery of content, services, information and knowledge on for delivery of content, services, information and knowledge on Private Public Private Public Partnership (PPP)Model. Partnership (PPP)Model.

End-to-end ServicesEnd-to-end Services: The key driver for the selection of content and services would be their end-to-end : The key driver for the selection of content and services would be their end-to-end applicability. This means that applicability. This means that a specific content/ service should be in a marketable format a specific content/ service should be in a marketable format for it to be for it to be selected as a part of the service network in the CSCs. Broadly, the services selection would be on their selected as a part of the service network in the CSCs. Broadly, the services selection would be on their ability toability to impact the consumer through the saving cost, helping income generation and enabling socio impact the consumer through the saving cost, helping income generation and enabling socio –economic generation–economic generation..

1313

The CSC impact

1414

Enabling transformation

CSCs would be the platform for fundamental transformation of the ways in which development challenges would be met in rural India

E-Government

AgricultureSocial Inclusion

Tele-medicineEducation

Entertainment1515

Services offered by CSCs Services offered by CSCs

Government (G2C) ServicesGovernment (G2C) Services----Land recordsLand records, , Registration of vehiclesRegistration of vehicles, , Issue of certificates, Issue of certificates, Government schemes Government schemes ,,Ration cardsRation cards, , Electoral services Electoral services ,,Pension schemesPension schemes, , Road transport Road transport ,,Public Public grievancegrievance, , Utility/ Telephone Bills. Utility/ Telephone Bills. e-Government Services-e-Government Services-Market Linkages, Education, Market Linkages, Education, Healthcare, Agricultural Healthcare, Agricultural ,,Extension etc. Extension etc. ,,Data collection Data collection ,,Rural BPOs. Rural BPOs.

Business to Consumer (B2C) servicesBusiness to Consumer (B2C) services (i) (i) Commercial Services-Commercial Services-Digital photos, web Digital photos, web surfing, photocopy, DTP, e-mail/chats ,CD burning, typing, printing, games, forms downloads/ surfing, photocopy, DTP, e-mail/chats ,CD burning, typing, printing, games, forms downloads/ estimates ,utility/telephone bills (private enterprises).estimates ,utility/telephone bills (private enterprises).(ii) Perspective e-Commerce/Online (ii) Perspective e-Commerce/Online Services –Services –Railway tickets, astrology, matrimonial, shopping, resume. Railway tickets, astrology, matrimonial, shopping, resume. (iii) Prospective (iii) Prospective Education Services-Education Services-IT education, English skills trainingIT education, English skills training , , tuitions.tuitions.(iv) Prospective (iv) Prospective Entertainment-Entertainment-DTH, community TV.DTH, community TV.(v) Prospective Telemedicine- (v) Prospective Telemedicine- Primary healthcare. Primary healthcare. (vi) (vi) Prospective Agriculture Services-Prospective Agriculture Services-Agriculture-inputsAgriculture-inputs, , agriculture –loansagriculture –loans, , agriculture -consulting agriculture -consulting and trainingand trainingBusiness services (B2B)Business services (B2B)------Advertising & promotion services, marketing Advertising & promotion services, marketing ,,promotionspromotions,, data collection servicesdata collection services, , research data collect research data collect ,,data entrydata entry,, distribution services distribution services ,,FMCG FMCG productsproducts,, financial services financial services ,,loans/deposits loans/deposits ,,referrals referrals ,,insurance etc.insurance etc.

1616

Service Ecosystem of CSCService Ecosystem of CSC

1717

Central Ministries and Departments

State Government Agencies

SCAs

VLEs

RuralCitizen

StateGovernments

SDAs

DIT

NLSA

IT Services &ContentProviders

PrivateServiceProviders

The stake holders

DIT FRAMEWORK 1818

SPV

DIT

NLSA (IL&FS)

HIMACHAL PRADESHSTATE GOVERNMENT

State Designated Agency (SITEG)

SCA

VLE

Implementation snapshot

1919

2020

CSC Scheme Framework in Himachal Pradesh

2121

Internet connected service delivery kiosk(CSC) in rural Himachal Pradesh

Number of CSCs

• Total Number of CSCs to be set up in Himachal Pradesh: 3366

• 1 CSC would be set up per Gram Panchayat (3243 Gram Panchayats)

• The location of 123 CSCs would be finalized at the time of actual implementation

2222

CSC Divisions

• For implementation purpose the state has been divided into 3 divisions. ( Total 3366 CSCs):

• Shimla Division

• Shimla, Solan, Kinnaur, Sirmaur

• Number of Rural CSCs: 956

• Kangra Division

• Kangra, Chamba, Una

• Number of Rural CSCs: 1296

• Mandi Division

• Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti

• Number of Rural CSCs: 1114

2323

Branding of CSCs

• “Gram Sugam” is the proposed brand name for Common Services Centers in Himachal Pradesh considered to be rural electronic libraries.

2424

Core Infrastructure Projects in Core Infrastructure Projects in Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh

  1.1. HIMSWAN HIMSWAN Source: Source: http://hp.gov.in/himswan/

2.2. State Data Centre State Data Centre Source: Source: http://himachalpr.gov.in/

3.3. State Portal and SSDG State Portal and SSDG Source: Source: http://himachal.nic.in/welcome.asp

4.4. Community Service Centers (CSC) or Lok Mitra Community Service Centers (CSC) or Lok Mitra

Kendras Kendras Source: Source: http://hp.gov.in/cschttp://hp.gov.in/csc//

2525

Other e-Governance ProjectsOther e-Governance Projects

1.1. Integrated Community Service Centers (i-CoSC) or SUGAM Integrated Community Service Centers (i-CoSC) or SUGAM SourceSource: : http://hp.gov.in/sugam/

2.2. SMS Gateway SMS Gateway SourceSource: : http://himachaldit.gov.in/

3.3. e-Procurement e-Procurement

4.4. Agriculture Resource Information Systems and Networking (AGRISNET)Agriculture Resource Information Systems and Networking (AGRISNET) Source: Source: http://hpagrisnet.gov.in/

5.5. Telemedicine Telemedicine Source: Source: http://himachaldit.gov.in/

6.6. Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) Source: Source: http://himachaldit.gov.in/

7.7. HRTC Online Ticket Booking System HRTC Online Ticket Booking System Source: Source: http://www.hrtc.gov.in/hrtctickets/

8.8. Vigilance Complaints Monitoring System (VCC) Vigilance Complaints Monitoring System (VCC) SourceSource: : http://hp.gov.in/vigilancecomplaints/RegisterComplain.aspx

9.9. Himachal Registration Information System (HimRis) Himachal Registration Information System (HimRis) Source: Source: http://himachal.gov.in/himbhoomi

10.10. Digital Gazette (e-Gazette) Digital Gazette (e-Gazette) Source: Source: http://himachal.nic.in/egazette

11.11. Revenue Court Case Monitoring Revenue Court Case Monitoring SourceSource: http://hp.gov.in/rcms/, : http://hp.gov.in/rcms/, http://himachaldit.gov.in

12.12. HP Police Web Portal (HIMPOL) HP Police Web Portal (HIMPOL) Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/himpol/, Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/himpol/, http://www.nic.in/projects

13.13. e-Pension (Pension Disbursement System) e-Pension (Pension Disbursement System) Source: Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/epension/epensionkhoj.asp

14.14. IT in CollegesIT in Colleges

15.15. Training on enhancing BPO & ITES Skills for Students of Himachal Pradesh (e-BITS)Training on enhancing BPO & ITES Skills for Students of Himachal Pradesh (e-BITS)

16.16. Information Technology ParkInformation Technology Park

17.17. Scheme Portal (e-Marg Darshan) Scheme Portal (e-Marg Darshan) Source: Source: http://hp.gov.in/scheme/home/home.aspx

18.18. Computer Complaint Management System Computer Complaint Management System SourceSource: : http://hp.gov.in/ccms/

19.19. HimBhoomi HimBhoomi SourceSource: : http://himachal.gov.in/himbhoomi/AboutHimbhoomi.htm

20.20. e-Salary: Integrated Pay & Accounts Offices (IPAO) e-Salary: Integrated Pay & Accounts Offices (IPAO) Source: Source: http://himachal.gov.in/treasury

21.21. e-Samadhan e-Samadhan Source: Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/eSamadhan

22.22. OLTIS OLTIS Source: Source: http://himachal.gov.in/treasury/

23.23. Computerization of Sub treasuries Computerization of Sub treasuries SourceSource: : http://himachal.gov.in/treasury/

24.24. Integrated Pay & Accounts Offices - e-Salary Project Integrated Pay & Accounts Offices - e-Salary Project Source: Source: http://himachal.gov.in/treasury/Projects.htm

2626

Other e-Governance Projects Contd.Other e-Governance Projects Contd.

e-Vitran (Budget Allocation System) e-Vitran (Budget Allocation System) Source: http://164.100.150.195/evitran/Source: http://164.100.150.195/evitran/

e-Kosh e-Kosh Source: http://himachal.nic.in/treasury/eKosh.htmSource: http://himachal.nic.in/treasury/eKosh.htm Computerization of Transport Department Computerization of Transport Department Source: Source:

http://admis.hp.nic.in/transport/Computerization.aspxhttp://admis.hp.nic.in/transport/Computerization.aspx HIMDTSHIMDTS e-Himapurti e-Himapurti Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/ehimapurti/welcome.aspxSource: http://admis.hp.nic.in/ehimapurti/welcome.aspx e-Rozgar (Employment Exchange Management Information System) e-Rozgar (Employment Exchange Management Information System) SourceSource: :

http://admis.hp.nic.in/emp/Aspx/Anonymous/Login.aspxhttp://admis.hp.nic.in/emp/Aspx/Anonymous/Login.aspx    e-Sameekshae-Sameeksha Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/esameeksha/Default.aspx Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/esameeksha/Default.aspx    e-iph (e-Irrigation and Public Health) e-iph (e-Irrigation and Public Health) Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/iph/Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/iph/    HP Secretariat Library (e-Granthalaya) HP Secretariat Library (e-Granthalaya) SourceSource: : http://admis.hp.nic.in/hplib/Welcome.aspxhttp://admis.hp.nic.in/hplib/Welcome.aspx    Web-enabled Online Hotels Reservation System Software Web-enabled Online Hotels Reservation System Software Source: Source:

http://hptdc.nic.in/custsw/viewuser8.asphttp://hptdc.nic.in/custsw/viewuser8.asp    Shastr Online Arms Licensing System Shastr Online Arms Licensing System Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/shastrSource: http://admis.hp.nic.in/shastr    References Monitoring System References Monitoring System Source: Source: http://admis.hp.nic.in/refnic/validusr.asphttp://admis.hp.nic.in/refnic/validusr.asp

2727

ConclusionConclusion

Himachal Pradesh Government, Himachal Pradesh Government, have taken several initiatives for rural have taken several initiatives for rural development development through through community information servicescommunity information services making government and making government and commercial commercial services accessible to rural people services accessible to rural people at their doorstep on an at their doorstep on an affordable prices with a vision to bridge urban-rural development affordable prices with a vision to bridge urban-rural development

The The goal goal of the CSC project is of the CSC project is to empower the rural community and catalyse to empower the rural community and catalyse social change through modern technologiessocial change through modern technologies through through Lokmitra or sugam Lokmitra or sugam centrescentres. . These may be considered as These may be considered as rural electronic librariesrural electronic libraries. .

These These rural electronic libraries rural electronic libraries will become a will become a vehicle for rural inclusion and vehicle for rural inclusion and inclusive growth to unlock the potential of rural Indiainclusive growth to unlock the potential of rural India. .

This strategy will This strategy will bridge the urban-rural divide bridge the urban-rural divide and India will able to achieve an and India will able to achieve an inclusive growthinclusive growth

Analysis of technological framework of CSC Analysis of technological framework of CSC indicates need for improving indicates need for improving connectivity and infrastructural facilityconnectivity and infrastructural facility on priority basis. on priority basis.

2828

Libraries and information centers have a special role in providing information to all in order to reduce Libraries and information centers have a special role in providing information to all in order to reduce the gap between those who have the facilities to access digital information and those who do not. the gap between those who have the facilities to access digital information and those who do not.

2929