Kerala: Fast forward on infobahn

Home to a large contingent of knowledge workers, Kerala was always in the forefront - be it the literacy program, which took off in late 80's, the setting up of India's first IT park, or the recent implementation of the much acclaimed Project Akshaya e-literacy program.

Despite the frequent political imbroglio and the perceived image of the state being not industry friendly, Kerala moves on.

Recently, there has been a change of guard in the IT department in Kerala with P.H. Kurian taking over as IT secretary. While ensuring that the IT initiatives kick started by former IT secretary Aruna Sundararaj is flowing seamlessly, Kurian is also planning to take the state further ahead.

In an interview with CIOL, Kurian spoke at length about his plans to take IT to the masses and the future forward.

What are the new e-governance projects in the pipeline?

Computerization of local self-government institutions is an ambitious project of the state. This would be one of the largest of e-governance initiatives taken up by any state covering 1000 plus bodies - all the 980 panchayats, 57 municipalities and five corporations. This Rs. 150 crore project will computerize and integrate all these bodies. Currently, it has been implemented in select panchayats and municipalities on a pilot basis.

Other than offering speedy services to the citizens, this will enable centralized monitoring of the plan expenditure. The bidding process of the project is over, application software is ready and the project is awaiting go ahead from the government.

We have also introduced citizen call centers, which provides information relating to common citizens transaction over telephone. Information related to departments like Revenue, Civil Supplies, Motor vehicles, Kerala State Electricity Board, Kerala Water Authority, Universities, etc are available and it coverings the entire state.
Another major project planned is the setting up of Kisan portal. It is a UNDP sponsored program, now being tested in Malappuram. The e-Krishi program will initially include, agriculture marketing, online trading and transactions. Farmers clubs are being formed, and these groups will offer the commodities online.

Project Akshaya was Kerala's one of the prestigious IT initiatives. What is its the current status?

Project Akshaya, the universal e-literacy program initiated in Malappuram district, is being expanded to seven more districts in the state in its second phase. In Malappuram, 613 Akshaya centers (Akshya e-kendras) were set up, covering 2000 e-illiterate families. Of this, 456 centers are up and running now. Other than training, these centers, which have WI-FI connectivity, also act as IT kiosks for all the bill payments requirements of the citizens.

Going forward, 1733 centers will be opened in the seven districts, Kollam, Pathanamthitta. Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargode. The project is expected to be completed by March 2005.

What all were the earlier ICT initiatives of the state?

FRIENDS' (Fast, Reliable, Instant, Effective Network for Disbursement of Services) is a single-window 'no queue' integrated remittance center, where citizens have the opportunity to pay all taxes and other dues to the Government at no extra cost.

Set up in 2000, this was one of our first initiatives and today we have kiosks in all the 14 district headquarters in the state. Last year transactions worth Rs .1.5 crore were done through these centers. There is a great public demand to extend these centers to other cities.

The transport department in the state is also fully computerized and has started issuing smart cad based driving licenses. Also, there is the police department portal, which is up and running now.

What are the e-learning initiatives implemented in the state?

Other than the e-literacy program, we have introduced teachers training on Linux platform in the state. All the teachers from eighth standard onwards come under the program. IT is a compulsory subject in all schools and this year we conducted IT exams along with the state Board examination.

What is the your IT budget?

For 2005-06 our budget is Rs. 70 crore. But it might go up to Rs 50 crore more if the Smart City project at Kochi takes off.