The training of legislators in using i-Pads and tablet computers ahead of the paperless proceedings of the UP Assembly commenced on Friday. The programme will conclude on February 14 and six sessions of three hours each will be conducted to impart training to the legislators. The training is being conducted virtually by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), a Central government organisation. The chief minister had himself held the orientation meeting with the ministers and put forth his point of view with regards to the importance of e-governance.
Inaugurating the training programme, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said more and more use of new technology will pave the way for progress. “Our progress is directly proportional to the use of modern technology,” he said. The legislators will be apprised of obtaining the information about the budget and proceedings of the assembly, conserving the information, making comments and use of that information.
UP has become the first state to be conducting the proceedings of the state assembly and legislative council paperless. With UP going for a paperless budget and proceedings of the legislature for the first time, the state government has sanctioned Rs 50,000 each to MLAs and MLCs for purchasing iPads and tablets. The legislators have been advised by the government to purchase the iPads from their resources before February 18. The amount will later be reimbursed. The budget session of the state legislature will begin on February 18. UP Finance Minister Suresh Khanna will present a paperless digital budget for 2021-22. The budget size for the current fiscal 2020-21 is Rs 5.12 lakh crore and the next budget is likely to be over Rs 5. 50 lakh crore.
All the ministers have been given training for using the tablet which is like a mobile phone device. The future meetings of the cabinet will also be paperless. A portal has been developed for the e-cabinet meeting and all the ministers and top officials are linked to it.