Kerala to mark 8 years of Akshaya e-initiative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA: Akshaya, an innovative project in Kerala aimed at bridging the digital divide by bringing IT to the common man, is reaching a new milestone as it completes eight years November 18.

Akshaya was conceived by the Kerala State Information Technology Mission to take the benefits of IT to the entire state even though it initially addressed the backwardness of Malappuram district.

Over the years it has opened over 2,000 citizen service centres (CSC) across the state with at least two e-kendra centres in every village panchayat.

Each e-kendra, set up within two to three kilometres of every household, caters to the requirements of around 1,000-3,000 families to make available the power of networking and connectivity to the common man.

The various facilities that these CSCs offer include educational programmes on e-literacy, with classes on how to handle a computer.

Another popular facility is the e-payment platform which covers utility bills like electricity, water, telephone bills and even university fees.

People can also book their railway tickets through these centres and also file sales tax returns by traders.

Korath V. Mathew, director of Akshaya, told reporters here that as part of the anniversary celebrations Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan will Tuesday flag off the 'Akshaya Janasevana Pracharana Yathra' which begins from Kasargode, through a video-conference.