Gram Sugam: e-Governance centres in all panchayats of Himachal

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by: Hema D

The Himachal Pradesh government has floated request for proposal for setting up 3361 Common Service Centers (CSC) called ‘Gram Sugams’ in all Panchayats of the state. The Gram Sugams are proposed to be set up in public private partnership as an extension of the district level e-governance projects. Successful implementation of the project will also lead to creation of more than 3500 jobs across the state and is expected to give a fillip to IT and IT enabled services across the state.

The centers will provide several facilities like getting a Driving License, Cast Certificate, revenue records, telephone and electricity bill payments etc. within the villages, saving a lot of travel time and cost of the villagers. For example getting a cast certificate presently one is required to go to the Tehsildar’s office and the number of rounds he would have to make is not sure. After the Gram Sugam is set up, the same can be taken from here after paying certain transaction charges that would certainly cost lesser than the travel time and cost on transportation otherwise spent.

The total state area for these service centers has been divided into three divisions, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. The projects for all three divisions would be allotted through competitive bidding. In Shimla division 955 centres, 1293 centres in Kangra and 1113 centres will come up in Mandi division. Last date for submission of the bids, which are open to private companies and even Non-Government Organization (NGOs) is March 10, 2008 after which the projects are expected to be allotted in April.

The Gram Sugams will have to be rolled out within nine months from the date of allotment, which means that if all goes according to the plan, by this time next year the villages would be well equipped with one such centre at the Panchayat level. The centers would be connected through the Himachal State Wide Area Network (HIMSWAN) up to the block, division and state headquarter level, so that all ‘Government to Citizen’ services are made available at the Panchayat level and the person does not have to make several rounds to various government offices.

Government would extend revenue support to the companies for four years after which the companies would either be on their own to carry it off based on the service mix being provided by them. In this service mix which will essentially have the Government to Citizen services (G2C), the private company who bags and executes the project will have an option to give the citizens Business to Citizen (B2C) services which can range from e-learning, telemedicine, agribusiness, insurance, mutual funds, e-money transfer etc. This revenue generated through the G2C will have to be shared between the company and the government and that generated through the B2C services will help make the centers financially viable.The government services at the Gram Sugams will also attract steady foot falls at these centers, which will help the partner agency to promote its B2C services.

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  1. ग्रामीणों/गम्भीरों/सरपंचों इत्यादि!
    उद्देश्यः किसी हरे-भरे, अपनेपन वाले ग्राम में कुछ दिनों/सप्ताहों तक ठहरकर ग्राम के उत्थान के लिए भी कार्य करना, जैसे ग्रामीणों को अपनी विभिन्न समस्याओं के तत्काल निवारण के लिए स्वास्थ्य, प्रशासन इत्यादि शासकीय टाॅल-फ्ऱी फ़ोन नम्बर्स का प्रयोग करना, कम्प्यूटर, इंटरनेट प्रयोग करना सिखाना, स्वरोज़गार सृजन एवं योजना-लाभ के लिए विभिन्न विभागों से सीधा सम्पर्क कराना, वन-रोपण, परिवार नियोजन इत्यादि दिशाओं में जागरुक करना और प्राकृतिक व वैचारिक सम्पदा में सम्पन्न बनाना
    क्यों? अत्यधिक प्रकृति-प्रेमी हूँ, ऐसा मानना है कि शहरियों की अपेक्षा ग्रामीणों में क्रांति के बीज शीघ्र अंकुरित होते हैं क्योंकि शहरियों की अपेक्षा ग्रामीण सीधे होते हैं, उनमें जिज्ञासा होती है, अहंकार नहीं होता। उन्हें मात्र किसी उपयुक्त मार्गदर्शक की आवश्यकता रहती है जो उन्हें सही-गलत का बोध कराते हुए आगे बढ़ाये। गाँवों सी सादगी, गोबर से लिपे आँगन, जैविक खेतों में नृत्य करते मोर, घर पर सब्जियों के डंठल/छिलके खाने आते हिरण, ये सब शहर के बनावटी वातावरण में कहाँ उपलब्ध होते हैं
    मैं कौन? 24 वर्षीय सुमित कुमार राय, आंग्लभाषा(अंग्रेजी) से हिन्दी अनुवाद इत्यादि सम्बन्धी स्वरोज़गार, जो हर उस गाँव से किया जा सकता है जहाँ मोबाइल व इंटरनेट कनेक्टिवटी हो
    वहाँ रहने के लिए मूलभूत आवश्यकताएँ- स्वच्छ शाकाहार, स्नानागार, शौचालय व्यवस्था, यदि इंटरनेट कनेक्टिविटी हो तो तीन दिन से अधिक भी रहा जा सकता है
    मेरा सम्पर्क- 09425605432 सुमित, अभी भोपाल में किन्तु उपरोक्त किसी भी स्थान पर जाने को इच्छुक

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