National e-Governance Plan

The National e-Governance Plan was approved by the Cabinet in May 2006 with a vision to provide public services to the common man in his locality at affordable costs.  The NeGP is a multi-stakeholder programme which primarily focuses on making critical public services available and promoting rural entrepreneurship.

This initiative of the Government of India aims to provide a host of services to the citizens, businesses, employees and the Civil Society in a convenient, efficient and transparent manner. Identification of services and service levels and shift from translation to transformation are at the core of NeGP, which is not about procurement of hardware and software but changing the way services are delivered to and accessed by the common man. 27 Mission Mode Projects (MNPs) and 8 Components constitute NeGP. Of these, Government of India has already approved 24 MNPs.14 MMPs have so for gone live and are delivering services electronically

Of the 1100 services targeted under NeGP, over 600 can be accessed across the length and breadth of the country. These services have been enabled by the Line Departments under the various Mission Mode Projects of NeGP as well as by State Governments that have chosen to leverage the digital service delivery infrastructure created under NeGP.

Common Services Centres (CSCs)

Over 86,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established to provide access to approximately 60 million people residing in nearly 5 lakh villages. CSCs are being established as the access points for government, private and social sector services to 600,000 villages in the country. It is estimated that over 100,000 rural micro enterprises have been created as a result of implementation of the CSC Scheme.  Moreover, through CSCs, over 100 types of services from over 20 Departments have been e-enabled.

 

 

 

State Wide Area Networks (SWAN)

 

23 State Wide Area Networks (SWAN) have been made operational which will provide a minimum connectivity of 2 Mbps up to Block Level. SWANs will be operational in all states by June 2011 except in Goa and A&N Islands which have opted out of the Scheme.

 

State Data Centres (SDCs)

 

SDCs which is to serve as the repository of data at state level, is currently operational in Gujarat and Tripura. Formation of SDCs is under progress in 14 States viz Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, TN, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. SDCs will be operational in 16 States by June 2011 and in 31 States by December 2011.

 

National Knowledge Network

 Government had decided to establish the National Knowledge Network (NKN) with scalable multiples of 10 Gbps capacity high speed data communication network. This will connect about 1500 nodes covering Institutions of higher learning, research, and governance. The initial phase of National Knowledge Network (NKN) was inaugurated by H.E. Smt. Pratibha Patil, the President of India on April 9, 2009. A core Backbone consisting of 17 Points of Presence (PoPs) have been established. Total number of operational NKN core links is 37. Around 88 institutions of higher learning and advanced research have already been connected to the network and 15 virtual classrooms have also been setup.

 

E-Learning

e-Learning is one of the thrust area for imparting education using educational tools and communication media. The vision of e-Learning is to bring high quality accessible e-learning to every one. The projects  initiated for the development of tools and technologies for promotion of e-Learning    during the year are Design  and   Development of Service Oriented Architecture based Standards Compliant e-Learning Framework with Personalized learning Features -  C-DAC, Hyderabad, Design   and  Development  of  a Framework for Adaptive   Instruction - C-DAC, Mumbai, Video Compression     and    Decompression  for   e-Learning  - C-DAC, Mumbai and National Competitiveness in Knowledge Economy, IIT, Roorkee.

 

Digital Library Initiatives

Department of Information Technology (DIT) has taken the Digital Library Initiatives  and as part of this, copyright free books, manuscripts, and thesis etc. have been digitized. Most of the digitized data has been web enabled on Digital Library of India web site -http://www.new.dli.ernet.in. Hyper-link of this site has been provided on DIT web site http://www.mit.gov.in .  During the year 17 million textual pages have been digitized and web enabled under different projects.

HCC (TDIL)

With the vision of empowering citizens to exchange information and knowledge in local languages , under Technology Development for Indian Languages (TDIL) Programme , language  processing Software Tools  and  fonts  in all 22 constitutionally recognized languages have been made available in public domain free of cost. These software tools and fonts could be downloaded from Indian Language Data Centre http://www.ildc.in.

With TDIL’s effort new Rupee Symbol has been included in the Unicode and ISO-10646  universal character encoding Standards. World-Wide-Web Consortium (W3C) India Office has become functional under the aegis of TDIL Programme having the long term vision of proliferation of web technology standards in Indian languages for seamless web access.

Nanotechnology Initiative Programme

      The Nanotechnology Initiative Programme has been concentrating on institutional capacity building and infrastructure for Research & Development and Human Resource Development. Under this programme two major nanoelectronics centres at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore have been set up. A nanometrology laboratory at National Physical Laboratory, Delhi is being set up. Two major projects have been initiated recently at IIT Kharagpur and IIT Delhi.  The project at IIT Kharagpur will be creating a Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) cluster tool based epitaxial nano-semiconductor infrastructure and the development of high frequency devices.  The project at IIT Delhi will be creating a facility for non-silicon based technologies for nano fabrication in the area of Nanomagnetics, Nanophotonics, Nanophotovoltaics, Nanoelectronics, Nanomechanics, Biosensors, and Mesoscale Devices.

CC&BT Group :  (2010-11)

The convergence of technologies has been the major driving force of this decade, uniting the distinct information, communication and broadcast sectors. Convergence has also become the prime catalyst for creating new business opportunities in e-services and value for the end users in the ICT industry. The next generation communication and broadband technologies have made tremendous impact on the growth on the economy worldwide and has led to a better living standard and also in bridging the digital divide.With the advancement of technology in communications, computers and multimedia, innovative and low cost applications are being evolved in professional and mission critical strategic sectors.

Ten projects completed during the year included development of WLAN systems, TETRA based secure communication system, Ultra Wide Band Transceiver, Broadband on Power lines, Resilient Packet Ring for MAN, Wireless Sensor Networks for agriculture monitoring and tracking mine-workers with active tags, Electronic Design Centre for SoP, Compact Antenna Test Range Facility  and Autonomous Vertical Profiler and WiFi Broadband backbone for NE region.

 

30 ongoing development projects are being implemented in emerging areas such as, Wi-Max mesh networks, Wi-Max QoS networks, TETRA Communication, Cognitive Radio, Software Defined Radio, OFDM transceiver, MIMO for spectral optimisation, Wireless 4G communication, Multi-media over IP, Smart Antenna, Ultra Wide Band radio, Microwave Imaging systems, Wireless Sensor Networks for vehicles, underwater, gas and landslide detection and emergency communication network, Multiple language subtitles on DTH, Hazardous Object Removal system..

 

During the year new projects in the areas of Software Defined Radio, Cognitive Radio, White spaces, Wireless Sensor Networks (Cyber Physical Systems, Wireless Body Area Network), Cooperative Communication, Green Communication, 60 GHz Wireless Networks, Mobile Ad-hoc Network and 4G Wireless Technology are planned for initiation.

Cyber Security

Cyber Security strategy towards securing country’s cyber space has four major components viz. Security R&D, Security Policy, Compliance and Assurance, Security Incident – Early warning & Response, and  Security Training.

11 R&D projects have been  initiated in the thrust  areas.  Advanced version of cyber forensics tool kit, Enterprise Forensic System,  prototype solution of malware prevention system based on application behaviour modeling and Web-service based Information System Security Design and Operational Management  Tool Suite have been  developed and tested by user organisations.

            Security Policy, Compliance and Assurance initiative is aimed at enabling Government, critical infrastructure organizations and other key IT users of nation’s economy in improving the security posture of their IT systems and networks and enhance their ability to resist cyber attacks.  Eighty auditors were empanelled for audit of IT infrastructure from cyber security point of view and Second version of Crisis Management Plan has been released for countering cyber attacks and cyber terrorism.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is providing early security warning and incidence response as the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents. It creates awareness on security issues through dissemination of information on its website (http://www.cert-in.org.in) and operates 24X7 Incident Response Help Desk. Around 12,427 cyber security incidents have been reported, tracked and  handled. The types of incidents handled were Phishing, Network scanning/probing, Malicious code, Denial of Service, Email hacking, Website intrusions and website defacements.  Around 7,43,623 Bot infected systems and 24 Command & Control servers have been tracked in India and the same has been informed to ISPs for mitigation.

DOEACC Society

            DOEACC Society, set up as Apex Body carry out Human Resource Development and related activities in the area of Information Electronics & Communication Technology (IECT). It has been conducting Courses on Computer Concepts (CCC) since the year 1999.  Approx. 4.35 lakhs candidates have appeared for the examination through online as well as offline mode (CD based) and more than 3.14 lakhs have been certified for Course on Computer Concepts (CCC). 

National Informatics Centre

e-Procurement:  Online system for procurement process starting from bid submission to payments is being implemented for NIC/NICSI. NIC's e-Procurement solution (GePNIC) has been implemented  successfully in the State Governments of Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh UT, NICSI, Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCL) Trust.  It is also being implemented for procurements under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) of Rural Development Ministry in 21 States, covering some of the North Eastern States.  Using the GePNIC solution, from the fiscal year 2007-08 around 41, 605 tenders, worth over  Rs.62,868 crores, have been processed successfully.

Transport (VAHAN & SARATHI): Transport Computerization Management system for Vehicle Registration, Driving License implemented with 100% connectivity achieved in 29 States/UTs and  884 out of 975 RTOs (91%)  are computerized. ICT Infrastructure for State Register have been procured and commissioned for all the States/UTs and 838 out of 898 RTOs data replicated (93%). For the National Register, data has been  replicated for 797 out of 898 RTOs (89%).

           

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005: The portal at http://nrega.nic.in provides informatics support for online registration, printing job cards, muster roll and other events of NREGS process life cycle. The database is linked to BPL data and is used by the States for monitoring the progress of the Project and release of funds. Cumulative number of households which have been  issued job cards till date are 11.4 crores, out of which 3.9 crore job card holders have been provided with employment.  The number of muster rolls so far are 1.66 crores.

 

e-Courts: Under the eCourts Mission Mode project, ICT infrastructure at Supreme Court and High Courts are being upgraded at Supreme Court and 18 High Courts. Funds for site preparation have been sent to 2082 district and taluka court complexes and the site preparation has been completed at 1829 court complexes. LAN has been established at 383 out of 693 court complexes. Software Roll out carried out at 746 court complexes covering 5733 courts. Further, out of the 19 pilot sites identified, the application software has been deployed at 14 pilot sites and feedback has been received from 16 HCs.

 

Land Records Computerization: The project has been successfully implemented in all major States with  3915 Tehsils/Taluks out of 4800 being enabled with distribution of computerized. Land Records Data of 16 States is already on public domain for online access. A  generic software “Bhunaksha” for cadastral mapping of land records for integration of RoR with cadastral maps has been developed.

 

e-Panchayat: Automation & strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institution’s(PRI) portals of 2.40 lakh PRI’s hosted on http://panchayat.nic.in. The package for Planning ( PlanPlus), websites of all panchayats have been launched. Panchayat Accounting(PRIASoft) and National Panchayat Directory is being finalized to operationalise. Ministry of Panchayati Raj had awarded the project of development of 12 Core Common Applications and SRS preparation  has been completed.

 

Immigration Visa Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT): NIC is entrusted with the task of implementing the “Immigration Visa Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT)” project at the cost of Rs.1011 crores. The project envisages building of IT infrastructure in 170 Indian Missions abroad, 77 immigration check posts, 7 FRROs and over 600 FROs.

 

Integrated Information System for Food Grains Management: The project which comprises different sub-modules such as DIISFM (District Information System for Foodgrains Management), IRRS (IISFM Rapid Reporting Services), DCMS (Depot Code Management System) have been deployed suiting the business logics of food Corporation of India (FCI). Following are the salient features of the work flow application:  

 

§  Basic data collections and Transactions regarding Receipts, Issues & Dispatches of food grains at the depot level

§  Off-take against allocation of food grains on different schemes of the Govt. of India

§  Movement of food grains through rail

§  Chemical treatment/infestation carried out on the food grains, stored in the depot

§  Information related to trucks carrying food grains coming in and going out of the depot, gunnies, chemicals etc.

Smart Card based Public Distribution System (PDS): The Smart Card based PDS is targeted to convert certain manual operations happening in PDS to get automated to minimize manual intervention. This covers the Ration Card Module, License and Regulations, Allocation & Utilization, Storage & Movement, Dispatch Tracking, Commodity Issuance, and Grievance Redressal process of the PDS system. The salient features of the Web based workflow and role based application are:

 

§     Entire ration card process is available online and details of the ration cards can   be  viewed by beneficiary

§  Application process of New or Transfer ration cards made simpler

§  All registers of Fair Price Shop (FPS) and their Indent process is done online

§  The food grains are distributed by FPS to beneficiaries, using Smart Card

 

 Saakshar Bharat: A Web based MIS is being developed to carry out the activities under Saakshar Bhart Mission 2010 scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The main objectives of this Web based application is to carry out Planning, Costing, Authorizations and Progress Monitoring. This application is being designed to be used by the MHRD, State Education Department Officials (SLMA), CEOs and other officials of the District Panchayats, Block level Officials like the BDOs and Block Pramukhs, Gram Panchayat Officials like the Gram Pradhan and Preraks (Coordinators) and the data will also be available in the public domain.

 

India Portal: Single Window access for Government information dissemination and G2C services http://india.gov.in. It is a gateway to over 6700 Government Websites.  In order to facilitate Standardization Guidelines for Indian Government Websites have been developed.

 

Central Plan Scheme Monitoring System (CPSMS): The scheme aims at establishing a suitable on-line Management Information System and Decision Support System for the Plan Schemes (CPSMS) of the Government of India. A Central repository of all the organizations receiving funds from all the Ministries/Departments is now available for the first time at the level of Government of India. For a total of 969 Centrally Sponsored Schemes & Central Sector Schemes, disbursement to the tune of Rs 2.27 Lakh Crores (INR) was made to executing agencies through the CPSMS system.

 

E-Post: It is a service under which printed or handwritten messages of customers are scanned and transmitted as email through internet. At the destination offices, these messages are printed, enveloped and delivered through postmen like other letters at the postal addresses. The service is operational in 3812 Post Offices across the country.  The Corporate e-post module facilitates registered  users to send bulk e-post messages to their customers/consumers from their database using customized message templates. 

 

CONFONET: Under the “Computerization and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora in the country (CONFONET)”  scheme, all Consumer Fora in the country are being computerized and connected through a network. The exchange will financial information which helps Consumer Fora to improve the efficiency & transparency of the system, reduce their work load & also allow consumers to access the status of their cases on Internet.

 

e-Office: The e-Office is a Mission Mode project of the Government aimed for conducting office procedures electronically which is expected to transform the government functioning to a more efficient mode.  Transforming the paper based office processes into electronic processes to minimize and eventually eliminate paper forms and manual forwarding is an important aspect in e-Office.   Electronic File movement and tracking along with other key enablers including the Document and Content Management, Archival and retrieval of data, Collaboration services make the whole concept of e-Office. Cabinet Secretariat, Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of HRD, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Department of Information Technology (eGovernance Division), Department of Personnel & Training (Training Division),  Ministry of Rural Development are some of the Ministries/Departments where e-Office has been implemented.

 

Prison Management System and Visitor Management System: NIC has developed Prison Management System & Visitor Management System and it is successfully implemented in around 50 jails across the country. In the year 2009-10, the Integrated Prison Management System (IPMS) was awarded National award for e-Governance instituted by DPARG under Exemplary Horizontal Transfer of ICT based-best Practice Silver, Government of Jharkhand. This was also implemented in 24 different jails in the State of West Bengal.

 

Standardization, Testing and Quality Certification (STQC): Standardization, Testing, Quality and Certification (STQC) Directorate functions  as a premier organization for Quality Assurance in the field of Electronics and Information Technology (IT) in the country. It provides Testing, Calibration, Training and Certification services through its well-developed network of test laboratories spread across the country including north-east region. The laboratories are equipped with state of the art standards and equipments. The test & calibration services are accredited as per national / international standards. Recently, test facility to evaluate solar photo-voltaic panels has been established as per international standard in the eastern region. These services have so far been utilized by more than 10,000 organisations.

STQC offers software evaluation services through its network of IT Centres located in eight major States for the benefit of IT industry. These Centres have handled / executed seventy five key IT projects. Some of them are e-Passport, e-Biz, Biometric device testing (UIDAI), COMPACT and e-LEKHA, Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojna, e- Procurement System for Indian Railways etc..

 

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SP/AB