Addressing the valedictory session of the 25th National Conference on e-Governance at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University here on Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said the Union Territory is committed to providing transparent governance and to a citizen-centric delivery of public services.
The event was used to launch the J&K Vision Document and the J&K Cyber Security policy, as well the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of IT, J&K Government, and DITECH Haryana.
The inter-state agreement is expected to strengthen and deepen collaboration on knowledge sharing, IT initiatives and promote best practices in e-governance, said Sinha.
Observing that technology is making a real difference in the life of the people, the Lt Governor informed that in 2013, the total number of e-transactions was a mere Rs.20 lakh, whereas currently, as on November 25, the figure was Rs.38.50 crore. He further informed that on an average, J&K records 550 e-transactions every minute.
“Delivering efficient, effective and accountable governance is our top priority. The IT department is coordinating across all departments to ensure citizens interact and access information and services, and provide feedback to improve service delivery,” he added.
Underscoring the fact that J&K has achieved several milestones with the help of solid technical architecture despite being a late entrant in digital transformation, Sinha said speedy development is the UT’s new identity.
He further observed that the launch of the J&K Vision Document and the J&K Cyber Security Policy will promote a common approach on the use of the power of innovation and secure IT assets in a rapidly changing technology landscape.
“We have prepared a roadmap and action plan for the next one, three & five years. More than 500 services will be made online in the next three years for a better digital delivery ecosystem,” said the Lt Governor.
“Line to online is our prime objective and instead of traveling to government offices, people just need to walk to the web. Our strategy is to enable people to access high-quality services anywhere, anytime, on any device. All services in mobile for mobile workforce,” he added.
“We are also working on the development of IT infrastructure; technology-led market linkages; encouraging emerging concepts like use of AI in agriculture for the welfare of farmers; layered public grievances; use of Metaverse (for global tourism), etc., '' he stated further.
He noted that initiatives like e-Office, BEAMS-Empowerment, Aapki Zameen-AapkiNigrani, Aap Ka Mobile Hamara Daftar, e-Unnat, Digi Locker, Meri Pehchaan have established accountability and transparency in governance.
The Digital J&K Internship Scheme for Youth has also been started to provide an opportunity for students to secure practical work experience in the IT sector, he added.
Several digital initiatives of the Department of Rural Development have empowered grassroots democracy. In the recently concluded Back to Village program, three lakh villagers accessed various government services online, which reflects increased citizen trust, Sinha added.
He concluded his remarks by inviting suggestions from all stakeholders to build a better digital ecosystem in J&K.
In his address, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal recalled his deep connection with Jammu Kashmir.
“I am witnessing a new, badalta (changing) Jammu Kashmir. We are looking forward to the new J&K-Haryana collaboration and are committed to support the J&K government in meeting their goals,” he said.
He also highlighted the IT interventions and several digital initiatives of the Haryana government in ensuring transparency in the public service delivery system.
Expressing his gratitude to the Haryana chief minister and other stakeholders, Lt Governor Sinha said that the 25th National e-Governance Conference will prove to be a “milestone in the direction of fulfilling our resolve for a digital society.”
Chief Secretaries of J&K and Haryana A.K. Mehta and Sanjeev Kaushal; V Srinivas, Secretary (DARPG) and Prerna Puri, Commissioner/ Secretary (J&K IT Department) also shared their views on e-governance initiatives that were bringing citizens, industry and the government closer.
On the occasion, the J&K Government also signed MoUs with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) for capacity building of the youth and collaborations in the IT sector.
Offer letters were handed over to interns selected for the Digital Internship Programme that provides the youth of J&K with an opportunity to contribute to existing digital projects of the government.
A short film also highlighted the e-services extended to the people by the J&K government.
The two-day conference was organized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU; Central Ministries and department officials; vice chancellors of various Universities; ADGP Jammu; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; CEO SMVDSB; Deputy Commissioner Reasi and delegates from different states and UTs were also present on the occasion.