The Central Government’s ambitious Digital India campaign in Uttarakhand seems quite slow. The fact of the matter is that under the ongoing digital India process, the BSNl has equipped 70 gram panchayats in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts with connectivity by laying fibre cables and other communication devices, but whether it is ‘unprofessionalism’ on part of the State bureaucracy or otherwise, the Government of Uttrakhand has not yet been able at least to provide basic infrastructure like computers and requisite manpower in these 70 gram panchayats.
Mention worthy, under this making India digital campaign, the respective State Governments have to put in place basic infrastructures, including computers and requisite manpower while the Government of India run BSNl has to provide communication services or connectivity. So following the laid down process the BSNl’s Haldwani division has laid down fibre cables and other necessary communication devices in 70 village panchayats of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts so far.
However, the basic infrastructure like computers and necessary man power is yet to be provided by the State Government in these 70 gram panchayats, as the official concerned of the BSNl, Haldwani maintained. There are a total 769 gram panchayats in both Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts. Out of which we have chosen 388 to equip with fibre cable in first phase, said Mahendra Srivastav, General Manager, BSNl, Haldwani division, while talking to The Pioneer.
More so, fibre cable laying process has been completed in as many as 70 gram panchayats out of these 388 gram panchayats. But other basic infrastructure like computers and manpower, has to be provided by the State Government, he informed. When asked about how the connectivity could be provided particularly in Nainital’s remote and hilly areas, Srivastav maintained that the connectivity would be provided in such areas with the help of solar system.
The interesting fact is that the digitisation process has to be completed by 2017. So it is to be seen whether states like Uttarakhand can match with the pace of time in going digital or not. It is notable that digitisation of the mountainous states like Uttarakhand could go a long way in easing inconveniences to the citizens who have to face a lot of difficulties in getting their even basic services issues solved.
Though the State Government has reiterated its commitment to promote e-governance, it is to be seen to what extent it succeeds in this endeavor.