Kohima, August 12 (DIPR): Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Pankaj Kumar interacted with trainees of the “Champions Skill Enhancement Programme” jointly organized by the Ministry of Information Technology, New Delhi, National Institute of Smart Governance (NISG), and the Department of IT&C, Government of Nagaland. The trainees are from all the eight North Eastern states.
During the brief interaction at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall on August 11, the Chief Secretary highlighted how one should know what to do and then use computer to do the job faster. Pointing out that “we” are living in times where things are changing rapidly and computer has become a friend today, he said the arrival of internet and mobile has enabled us to communicate faster and that the available technology should be used to extend services to various departments. While mentioning the amazing features of online marketing, he also said that there is no reason why basic services like payment of electricity bill and water bill should not be made online in every North Eastern State.
The Chief Secretary also said that since things are now changing very fast in both public and private services, all the North Eastern States should now try to make online the various schemes Government departments are delivering and in doing so life will become easier.
Participants from Tripura mentioned that banking system is still concentrated only in few towns, due to which, it is very difficult to provide payment through online system. The Chief Secretary stated that banking sector still has lot of homework to do in all North Eastern States and unless they realize the importance of their service, especially in rural areas, the people in North Eastern region especially in remote areas will continue to suffer. Participants from Arunachal Pradesh highlighted that due to frequent landslide and narrow roads, underground optical fibre system is not going to work in Arunachal Pradesh. They placed special request to the Chief Secretary to raise this issue in various forums to give special provision for wireless and satellite connectivity in North Eastern region.
Representatives from Assam indicated that connectivity and online services are still restricted to few towns in Assam and lot of effort needs to be given to take various online services to rural areas. Participants from Manipur highlighted that the Computerization of Personal Information System (CPIS) in Manipur was implemented particularly to address the issue of officers not reporting for duty to remote areas.
The Chief Secretary stated that most States in North Eastern region have problem of employees drawing their salary online without visiting the place of posting and this issue needs to be addressed seriously. The Commissioner & Secretary (IT&C), Nagaland mentioned that there are electronic technologies capable of handling this kind of issues.
Meanwhile, participants from Meghalaya stated that people in rural areas are still not aware of basic online citizen service and there is a need to conduct massive awareness programme. The Chief Secretary said that since there is huge awareness gap, we should start online services from places which are easier and then gradually spread the services to difficult areas.
All the participants felt that issues relating to connectivity problems in North Eastern region should be taken up jointly at the highest level.
The meeting started with brief introduction by Commissioner & Secretary (IT), KD Vizo and Professor JC Kapur, who is also the Course Director of National Institute of Smart Government (NISG).
