More jobs via e-governance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second phase of Kerala’s pioneering e-literacy program, Akshaya was launched by State Chief Minister, AK Antony last week at Chelembra Grama Panchayat near Malappuram. The CM said that the successful Malappuram model of Akshaya would be extended to all districts in the State.

The second phase of the project would see the 620 Akshaya centers in Malappuram functioning as communication hub, information kiosk, e-transaction center, and training center for various government recognized courses.

Addressing the gathering, Antony said that the Akshaya centers will soon throw open windows of infinite opportunities for the people in the rural villages of the State. Akshaya centers would soon take up services currently undertaken through FRIENDS counters like remittance of tax and government bills, and the government would take steps to cut down power tariffs to Akshaya centers, he added.

Minister for IT PK Kunhalikutty, who presided over the inaugural function, said that the Akshaya project has transformed the lives of people in Malappuram, enabling them to explore and benefit out of new employment opportunities and new business avenues.

While presenting a report on phase I of Akshaya during the inaugural function, the Secretary for IT Aruna Sundararajan said that basic computer training has been availed by 5.1 lakh people in the Malappuram district and the pilot project turned out to be successful in reaching out to 13 remote tribal colonies and 15 coastal villages in the district. On the innovative usage of IT in the rural sector, Sundararajan pointed out the venture by a group of entrepreneurs, who have created a health profile for 30,000 people in Cheakode Panchayat.

Meanwhile, Local Administration Minister, Cherkulam Abdullah said that Akshaya has the potential to enhance social progress, development and opportunities in employment. He made this remark while inaugurating the state-level workshop of the Akshaya project at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) recently in Kasaragod. The minister informed the gathering that Akshaya would be implemented in all other districts of the State in 2004.

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