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MP tops e-governance list in North-India

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CIOL Bureau
New Update

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh has encouraged maximum use of IT in its different departments, which were revenue-earning outfits where there is a need for greater public contact. Madhya Pradesh is leading north Indian states in e-governance, while Uttar Pradesh is right at the bottom of the list in a report released recently by the National Association of Software and Service Companies.(Nasscom)



Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have emerged as the front-runners in e- governance initiatives. Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu follow them. Next in line are Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal, according to the interim finding of NASSCOM in a study which involved 10 states in India.



The e- governance market in India is close to Rs 1,200 crore and is growing at about 18-20 per cent annually over the past two years. Most of the state governments are either letting people utilize the services openly or use them for government work on Built-Own- Transfer (BOT) basis.



Madhya Pradesh has taken rapid strides in the last couple of years and is striving to be at the forefront of the IT revolution. To this end, the government has set up 20,000 kms of optical fiber backbone to cover its 313 development blocks across 45 districts -- the highest coverage of optical fiber cable in the country.



It has also established three international gateway hubs and has two basic telecom service providers. It has acquired the unique distinction of having all- digital exchanges, says an official announcement. The Madhya Pradesh Agency for Promotion of Information Technology (MAP-IT) has emerged as the nodal point for IT growth. To help sustain its technological edge, the state has invested in IT education.



It has provided learning ground for future IT professionals by establishing the first Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management (IIITM). The state has opened up for private participation for computer education in schools and colleges. The project on computerization of ownership of agricultural land has already been started and all the land records data in the state are being updated.



Similarly, all 52 offices of the Commercial Tax Department are next on the networking agenda across the state. A database of all tax payers and other business establishments is being created to facilitate on-line payment. Check post activities are also to be networked and automated. District treasuries are being networked with the state headquarters and are to be connected with the banks. All the villages of Madhya Pradesh have been covered under e-governance initiatives.

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