The Centre plans to use the websites like that of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the media arm of the Government, to maximise the digital reach of events of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has called for the live streaming of PM’s events on the Central Government websites.
In a recent meeting of the DoPT on implementation of e- office, certain changes were suggested with respect to the department’s website, including live streaming of functions headed by the Prime Minister and Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh, so that everyone is aware of what’s happening in the Government. The tagging of their Twitter and Facebook accounts was also discussed.
Newly-appointed DoPT Joint Secretary SR Katikithala recommended scrolling RSS feeds (referred to as regularly changing web content) from popular websites like PMO, PIB, UPSC and National Career Service Portal and popular videos from other websites.
The overall objective behind this process is to make all concerned aware what is happening throughout the Government by just being on DoPT website. The DoPT, the nodal department for personnel matters, comes “fourth from the last out of 69 Mini-stries/departments among those serious about implementation of e-office”.
An estimated 53,000 files got scanned by the DoPT though no action has been taken so far for them being uploaded, it is learnt. A decision was also taken to expedite the purchase of high power scanners.
On the other hand the DoPT has alleged that the Home Ministry is not allowing use of Wi-Fi in its offices due to security reasons but the facility is being allowed for Finance Ministry offices in the same building.
The National Informatics Centre “has conveyed that that due to security reasons, Wi-Fi is not being allowed by MHA in this office”. The North Block has Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Personnel Ministry (that includes the DoPT) and Finance Ministry.