The first day of Rajasthan IT Day successfully kicked off at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur today with CM Vasundhara Raje envisioning a ‘bright, connected and technologically-advanced digital Rajasthan’ for younger generations. Encouraging the youths to embrace information technology in every sphere of their life, the CM stressed on its importance in research, development and education sectors.
CM Vasundhara Raje Addressed Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Tech-Experts On Rajasthan IT Day
While addressing a group of intellectuals and key officials of Rajasthan government, CM Vasundhara Raje stressed on the role of IT in public, private and corporate proceedings. According to the CM, digitization is important for greater transparency, accountability and smooth flow of information between various departments. Keeping this in mind, Rajasthan government introduced the concept of IT day an year back, with the aim to connect most villages and cities in a closely-knit online network.
The efforts fetched praises worldwide and Rajasthan won important awards like the CSI Nihilant Award, Digital India Award and the Expert’s IT Award last year. Inspired by the success, the government aims at promoting IT for business and governmental proceedings.
Bhamashah Yojana- the First Successful Digital Scheme of India was Bred in Rajasthan
In her first tenure (2003-2008) CM Raje introduced Bhamashah policy, which is the first fully digitized scheme in India. Through this scheme, the government attempted to deliver direct benefits of public schemes (such as free scholarships for deserving students, free medical coverage and financial aid for BPL families) to beneficiaries through a card-based swapping system. The system guaranteed delivery of benefits to only the deserving candidates.
Annapurna Bhandars Emerge as First PoS-based Retail Malls for Rural Rajasthan
To strengthen the existing PDS delivery chain, Rajasthan government introduced ‘futuristic rural malls’ named Annapurna Bhandars wherein families could get high-quality provisions and ration at affordable, government-specified rates. At Annapurna bhandars, the payments are accepted via PoS machines and the items are issued with a valid payment receipt, which is maintained in records for future reference. Digitization has helped control inflation in foodstuffs and eliminated the faults in the delivery chain in Rajasthan.
On the occasion of Rajasthan IT Day, the CM made some major announcements for public benefits, such as—
- Work Orders worth 1 crore for Deserving IT Students
Budding IT engineers who’ll provide sustainable solutions to digital problems will get work orders worth 1 crore. The government will involve them to manage public affairs.
- Free Wi-Fi Installation at Offices and Educational Institutes
All central/state government offices and educational institutes will get free Wi-Fi service within the premises under Budget 2017. The budget also lays down provisions for Atal Seva Kendra (digital centers), IT-training for 8 lakh individuals under skill development program and digitization of govt. and rare historical records.
- Hackathon Winners to Get Rs 15 Lakh Cash Prizes
The three winning teams of the state-organized ‘Hackthron’ event were awarded cash prizes worth Rs 15, 10 and 7.5 respectively. The event was organized to help younger generations showcase their computer skills in a state-level Olympiad.
- 40 Thousand E-Mitra Centers Running in Rajasthan to Provide more than 290 Services
Currently, the state takes pride in 40,000 E-Mitra centers that provide the benefit of 290 schemes to remote rural regions of Rajasthan. In future, the government will attempt to involve more villages in this process.
Just recently, the state has established its first fully-digitized police control room—a means to strengthen the existing legal system in the state. With these recent changes, the state looks forward to bigger, better and economically favorable opportunities in future.
