The Hindu Business Line : AP pilot project to network primary agri co-ops

ANNOUNCING that 117 towns in Andhra Pradesh will go live with e-Seva citizen centres by November, the Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has directed that all the 3,600 primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) in the State should deploy `Karshaka Pragati', a technology project, to serve as a single-point interface for rural population.

Inaugurating a pilot project in four districts in the State, Mr Naidu announced that this project would be replicated in all the 3,600 PACS by next year. Support from the Andhra Pradesh Cooperative Bank (APCOB), the district cooperative credit banks (DCCBs) and additional funding from Nabard and the State subsidy will meet the necessary funding requirement for this computerisation project.

These PACS, which will be covered phase-wise, will also serve as e-Seva centres and compliment other centres that are being commissioned in 117 towns. Further, with the Government also deciding to support upgradation of about 5,000 STD booths to serve as Internet kiosks, and several post offices seeking to provide citizen services, this will help bridge the digital divide, he said.

The computerisation of primary agricultural cooperatives will benefit people living in the rural areas. They could seek any Government service from these centres, he said.

In an online interaction with district collectors after the launch of the project, Mr Naidu said a time-bound action plan would be drawn up to ensure that all the PACS were upgraded to provide access to information and extend various Government services.

The State Government, Mr Naidu said, was keen to reach out the benefits of technology to the common man and the computerisation of primary agricultural cooperatives will ultimately bring about the desired convergence at grassroots level facilitating real time information flow.

Though the data will be transmitted through modems from villages to mandal level, from mandal it will be supported by State-wide area network.

While the e-Seva centres are offering about 33 services, it is planned to cover more services and gradually even some of the Central Government services and information could be accessed, he said.

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