Processing .....please wait.. 
The article has been forwarded.... 
News >> Technology >>
Himachal IT steps to make governance transparent
Thursday, 02 December 2004, 20:30 IST
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Wednesday launched a host of information technology (IT) measures to bring speed and transparency to its functioning.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated several e-governance initiatives including a network of computers in the secretariat, reference monitoring system, information kiosk, online monitoring of records and online tax filing system.
"A high speed local area network (LAN) which will soon cover the entire state has been set up in the secretariat linking all branches and offices so that letters and files can be tracked to ensure efficiency and avoid delays," said Sanjeev Gupta, IT secretary.
"This is the most advanced software so far in the country (among secretariats) at a reasonable cost of 
3.8 million. The government has also installed 90 desk tops in the secretariat," he told IANS.
The secretariat is the administrative hub from where the chief minister, ministers, top officials and some 1,500 other officials run the affairs of the state.
"Around 550 officials have been trained for the use of the reference monitoring system. Interestingly, it will also generate electronic and printed reminders automatically if files are not cleared in a week," said Gupta.
"Besides a touch screen information kiosk has been installed in the secretariat to enable any visitor to know the designation, location, availability, phone numbers of an official so that visitor gate passes can be issued," he said.
The secretariat library is reputed to be one of the best in the state. Now any book in Hindi or English can be searched among its 60,000 titles.
"Himachal Pradesh has also become the first and only state in the country to introduce filing of sales tax returns through the internet," Gupta said.
Singh also announced the implementation of a pilot project with a grant of 15 million sanctioned by the National Institute of SMART Governance, Hyderabad, to integrate services related to various government departments in the state to the sub-district level.
"I am confident today's IT initiatives will ensure greater, transparency, efficiency, objectivity, accountability and speed to help overcome unbridled discretion and corruption by providing improved services in a time-bound manner," he said.
"Since all officers and branches have been assigned email addresses, I would urge all officials to check their emails at least twice a day," Singh said.
"The tourism department should immediately start using the touch screen kiosk for dissemination of information regarding tourism potential in all state tourism information centres and to major airports and railway stations in the country."
Source: IANS
3.8 million. The government has also installed 90 desk tops in the secretariat," he told IANS.
The secretariat is the administrative hub from where the chief minister, ministers, top officials and some 1,500 other officials run the affairs of the state.
"Around 550 officials have been trained for the use of the reference monitoring system. Interestingly, it will also generate electronic and printed reminders automatically if files are not cleared in a week," said Gupta.
"Besides a touch screen information kiosk has been installed in the secretariat to enable any visitor to know the designation, location, availability, phone numbers of an official so that visitor gate passes can be issued," he said.
The secretariat library is reputed to be one of the best in the state. Now any book in Hindi or English can be searched among its 60,000 titles.
"Himachal Pradesh has also become the first and only state in the country to introduce filing of sales tax returns through the internet," Gupta said.
Singh also announced the implementation of a pilot project with a grant of 15 million sanctioned by the National Institute of SMART Governance, Hyderabad, to integrate services related to various government departments in the state to the sub-district level.
"I am confident today's IT initiatives will ensure greater, transparency, efficiency, objectivity, accountability and speed to help overcome unbridled discretion and corruption by providing improved services in a time-bound manner," he said.
"Since all officers and branches have been assigned email addresses, I would urge all officials to check their emails at least twice a day," Singh said.
"The tourism department should immediately start using the touch screen kiosk for dissemination of information regarding tourism potential in all state tourism information centres and to major airports and railway stations in the country."
Source: IANS