The Hindu Business Line : Rajiv Internet Villages in AP to offer Government to citizen services

THE Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Sunday launched the delivery of Government to citizen services through the Rajiv Internet Villages, where about 8,618 centres would be operational in 22 districts.

Dr Singh's visit coincided with the commissioning of the Rajiv centre at Bhurugupally, in Medak district where 345 centres are planned.

ICICI Lombard, Azim Premji Foundation, Microsoft, and Institute of Electronic Governance would support these centres.

The Rajiv project has been awarded to TIMES, a non-governmental organisation, and Bharat Electronics Ltd, (BEL) through a competitive bidding process. Under this plan, the technology partner sets up the Rajiv Internet centres and offer services to citizens in their village.

Times and BEL would invest Rs 135 crore and the State Government assures the partners of delivery of several Government to citizen services through these centres for a period of three years.

"These technology partners pay to the Government an amount of Rs 6,000 per centre per year. Technology partners will pay Rs 5.17 crore per year to the State," according to Ms Ratna Prabha, Secretary, Information Technology and Communication.

The mandate of these centres is to provide citizen services, provide broadband connectivity to every village at an affordable price and also impart computer literacy to at least one member in a family.

All the 8,618 centres would be ready by December 2005 across all the 22 districts. These centres would be supported by data centres, disaster recovery centres and a call centre. A portal will support the entire activity of the Rajiv Internet village.

Right from bill payments covering electricity, telephone bills and several other Government services, these centres would provide weather insurance through ICICI Lombard, money transfer, matrimonial registration, and information through HLL I-Shakthi portal and market price information.

Interestingly, e-learning component would be through Azim Premji Foundation. Members of the self-help groups (SHGs) would be associated with this project. The gram panchayats would be instrumental in mobilising support and motivate citizens to be part of the e-literacy campaign.

The content for these centres would be developed by the Institute for Electronic Governance, Hyderabad with the support of Azim Premji Foundation and Microsoft. The release of Telugu version of Microsoft is expected to strengthen this campaign.

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Rajiv Internet Villages in AP to offer Government to citizen services