Block Information Center

 Description of Scheme

 

The objective of the scheme is to set up “Block Information Center (BIC)” which would function as a “Kiosk of Information/ Block Knowledge Centre”- all information regarding schemes the rural people desires must be available at the BIC. It would act as a Model Service Centre by providing the necessities of the People nearby. For researchers, students, BIC’s will act as a provider for secondary data related with all schemes implemented through Block Panchayath and provide Booklet, Publication etc. The BICs should pro­vide web access and internet services such as e-mail, market access and e-commerce facility and access to socio-economic databases. Other serv­ices such as e-learning (computer-aided learning processes) and e-edu­cation, e-consulting (e- OP Booking), e-governance applications and other related citizen-centric services should also be provided. The BICs would create IT awareness among local people, conduct computer training programmes and disseminate tender notification and e-employment notification.

In 2017- 18 & 2018- 19 BICs were aimed to provide the following services

  • Organize basic ICT orientation training programmes
  • Function as rural DTP centers
  • Participate in the Election processes such as voter data entry, etc.
  • Data Entry of all National Projects like BPL survey, MGNREGA etc
  • Conducting classes for the preparation of the aptitude tests for various jobs
  • E ticketing of  Rail/Air/Bus Tickets
  • Registration of UDAI/Adhaar
  • E delivery of the admit cards of the various exams
  • Providing examination Results
  • Processing application for various entrance tests/ PSC/UPSC especially for SC/ST/ other Backward Community.
  • Providing hands on skill in operating a computer using internet
  • Act as a E Krishicentre
  • Act as a point to disseminate the brochures and booklets issued by the Government.

In the recent natural calamity, heavy rains played havoc in Kerala. Apart from deaths and damage to property, many people have lost important documents. Valuable documents like land deeds, bank documents, ID cards and ration card have been damaged or are missing. Even though there are ways to get back the papers, to safeguard them from another loss can be focused.  The BICs will act as a provider for DIGILOCKER where, a platform for issuance and verification of documents & certificates in a digital way can be made possible.

Infrastructure

  • Each Centre has to be equipped with computer communications equipment: a server and five clients connected to a internet on a local area network (LAN).
  • A television has also been provided for edutainment purposes.
  • Each BICs will have operators for managing and providing services to the public.

Recruitment of BIC operators

CIC operators will be recruited by the State Govt./State Govt. designated agency on a purely temporary basis incumbent for a period of 1 year extendable to a maximum period of 5 years.

Qualification:

The qualification and experience of the BIC operator will be Bachelor Degree in Science/Computer Science with PGDCA/PGDCS from a recognized institution / university or A level of DOEACC with minimum 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in the Bachelor Degree and Post Graduate Diploma OR -    B.Sc. in Computer Science with minimum 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent from a government recognized Institution/University.        

Age:

The age of the candidate on the date of applying must be between 21-25 years only.

Training

Selected candidate will be given a brief training on the use of e-mail, Internet and Web-Based applications.

Payment of Salaries

Payment of salaries to the operators has to be met initially from the Block Panchayath Fund for 6 months and thereafter from the user fees collected at the BICs.

Working hours and holidays

 

Working hours and holidays of the BICs has to be fixed according to local necessity, however they should work on all holidays, weekly off can be provided on week days only.

In the year (2018-19), an amount of Rs. 100.00 lakh has been provided in the State budget and Administrative sanction has been obtained to set up one Block Information Centre (BIC) in each district having a total of 28 Citizen Information Centres (BIC’s) in the State.

In the financial year (2019-20), it is proposed to set up BICs in other 25 Block Panchayaths, Then by, it is proposed to set up BICs in all the Block Panchayaths during the 13th Five year Plan.

 

  1. Justification for proposing the scheme

 

The Rural Development Department (RDD) is implementing a number of Centrally Sponsored and State Plan schemes/programmes aimed to boost economic growth and to improve the quality of life in rural areas especially targeting the people below the poverty line and many of this programmes are implemented through the Local Self Government institutions. In order to make aware of these programmes and to provide services of various government departments to the public, BICs has to set up/strengthened.

 

  1. Components of Scheme

The project cost for One CIC/BIC is estimated as Rs.4.00 Lakhs During the year 2019-20, it is proposed to implement in 25 Block Panchayaths The total provision proposed under this scheme  is Rs.100.00 lakhs. The provision will be utilized for the following components according to actual requirements.

  • Setting up of BICs in the Block Panchayath
  • Cost of computers and other accessories, Printers, UPS, Television , Display Wall. LCD projector, DTH charges and rent/year, networking and internet connection, furniture items, other expenses, etc..
  • Providing internet facilities to public for getting information of various schemes implementing by the Central and State Government, getting Govt. circulars and orders, periodicals, publications etc.
  • Providing IEC materials relating to various schemes implementing by Rural Development Department
  • Providing information about the services available from other Govt. departments

    Item

    Amount (Rs.in lakh)

    Setting up of Block Information Centres(BICs) in 25 Block Panchayaths as part of Strengthening e-Governance initiatives.

    100.00

    Total (Rupees One hundred lakh only)

    100.00
  1. Physical target

The Physical target is to setting up of BICs in 25 block Panchayaths.

 

  1. How the programme is implemented

 

    1.             The programme will be implemented through Block Panchayaths and the monitoring will be done by Assistant Development Commissioner (General)/Commissioner for Rural Development.
  2. Time line of the Programme

 

April 2019 - February 2020                  - Obtaining Administrative sanction from 

                                                     Government and implement the programme

 

  1. Outcome of the scheme

 

            Setting up of Block Information Centres in 25 Block Panchayaths

 

                   

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