Modernization and Strengthening of e-Governance initiatives in RDD

  1. Brief summary of the scheme         

Rural Development Department (LSG) is entrusted with the implementation of various Central and State schemes. Almost all the schemes are using MIS software for the implementation. Also, State Government’s policy is to deliver high-quality citizen-focused services through online. A series of software are already implemented such as SPARK, e-Office, fund management software, etc. and another set of e-Governance projects are also in the pipeline.

As part of strengthening/implementing of e-Governance initiatives of Government, e-office soft/system has been implemented in the Commissionerate of Rural Development. During the current year (2018-19), an amount of Rs. 70.00 lakh has been provided in the State budget for this scheme. It is proposed to implement e-office in all offices under this Department step by step from 2018-2019 onwards. Currently there are no such schemes are available for maintaining e-Governance infrastructure.

This scheme is for the modernization, maintenance, procurement of equipments; purchase/maintenance of vehicles for Commissionerate and District level offices and other offices comes under this department. A single portal for information dissemination from Commissionerate as well as sub offices will be implemented this year. All Government correspondence/ interactions shall be converged through the setting up of an IT Cell in CRD. The IT Cell will work closely with Kerala State IT Mission and IKM to ensure that the departmental and Block Panchayat activities are in synchronization with the overall plan and that the activities are taken up uninterruptedly. This shall also work with Kerala State IT Mission and IKM to identify the Government and Block Panchayat processes that needs to be modified, to facilitate the new digital processes.

 

2          Whether programme is a continuing one or new scheme

This is a continuing scheme.

3          Justification for proposing the provision

The-Governance initiatives will go smoothly only with the help of appropriate software, sufficient infrastructure such as computer hardware, efficient connectivity, networking, proper maintenance of infrastructure considering the current requirement of the office management process it is observed that there are still software and hardware deficiencies which shall be filled up for the effective management of the department at the block Panchayat activities. At present, there is no other scheme support for the procurement of softwares, computer and related hardware, networking, internet connectivity, AMC (Annual maintenance Contract) for the electronic equipment, procurement of stationeries / consumables – toner cartridges, secondary storage devices – pen-drives, external drives, CD/DVDs etc,

4          Objectives of the programme

The proposed scheme aims for the procurement and maintenance of infrastructure supporting e-Governance activities for the following offices:

  • Commissionerate of Rural Development
  • Assistant Development Commissioners (General) Offices
  • Assistant Development Commissioners (Performance Audit) Offices
  • Extension Training Centres (ETC)
  • Rural Information Bureau
  • KERAMS
  • Government Transport & Equipment Organisation (GTEO)
  • Food Processing & Nutrition Centre (FPNC)
  • Block Panchayat’s

5          Activities under the programme

The scheme comprises the following activities:

  • Setting up of an IT Cell in the present Planning & Monitoring Division. Modification and upgradation of P&M division by providing civil construction including procurement of furniture, IT hardware’s, filing/storage cabinets etc.
  • Expenditure for providing manpower support for the e-office system in the Commissionerate and field level offices.
  • Expenditure related to the implementation/scale-up of e-office implementation
  • Purchase of new computer systems and other accessories like UPS, Printer, Scanner, Laptops, Photocopier, LCD Projector, e-punching machine for Commissionerate and field level offices
  • Replacement of obsolete computer systems and other accessories with new one.
  • Purchase of networking and connectivity equipments.
  • Installation / up-gradation of computer networking
  • Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for all the above said electronic equipments.
  • Recurring expenses for connectivity
  • Expenses for computer consumables
  • Development /upgradation/ management of websites
  • Organize database online for planning purposes
  • Training on computers / e-Governance software
  • Procurement of Digital Signature Certificates
  • Providing furniture, filing/storage cabinets, record racks for sections in CRD
  • Purchase /Maintenance of Vehicles in the Commissionerate and field level offices

During the current year (2018-19), an amount of Rs. 20.00 lakh has been provided in the State budget for the purchase of vehicles for ADC offices. In the next financial year (2019-20), it is proposed to include this scheme as a component of the scheme “Modernization and Strengthening of e-Governance initiatives in Rural Development Department”. An amount of Rs. 50.00 lakh is provided for this component for the financial year (2019-20).

 

7          Physical target

The Physical target to be achieved is to ensure the procurement and maintenance of infrastructure supporting e-Governance activities of Commissionerate of Rural Development, 14 Poverty Alleviation Units, O/o14 Assistant Development Commissioner (G) and 152 Block Panchayats.

 

8          How the programme is implemented

    1.      

The programme will be implemented through CRD and other field offices

 

9          Time line of the Programme

May 2019  - March 2020

-  Implementation of the programme

 

10        Outcome of the scheme

Planning & Monitoring division will be restructured to form an IT Cell in the Commissionerate of Rural Development by modification and upgradation of P&M division by providing civil construction including procurement of furniture, IT hardware’s, filing/storage cabinets etcStrengthening of e-Governance initiatives in the department