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Himachal launches e-governance plan

SHIMLA: The State Information Technology Department on Tuesday launched a high-profile e-governance plan, HIMSWAN.

State IT Secretary Sanjeev Gupta said Himachal was the first State to launch such a project at its headquarters with connectivity right down to the Gram Panchayat level. It would be a state-of-the-art intranet IT networking facility at a competitive price, he claimed. While formally launching the project here, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal emphasised the need to make every student computer-savvy at the plus two school level and creating an efficient pool of IT-based human resource in the State. The State Government has jointly launched this project with technical help from computer giants Hewlett Packard. Mr. Dhumal said the State Government was also considering setting up an IT Park-cum-Township in the State in the near future which would make ready-to-use infrastructure available to the IT companies and also enhance the employment potential of the hill State. He said the State was looking forward to attracting big IT companies to come over and avail the quality IT infrastructural facilities created for setting up their units.

The Chief Minister said that the launch of the HIMSWAN project would bring about efficiency, transparency and

responsiveness in the functioning of all government units down to the Panchayat level. He said the State IT Department would act as coordinator, catalyst and channel for technical inputs while the real action must take place within the line department for any sustainable results. He directed all government departments to take effective steps to implement the e-governance road map. He said the availability of voice and video through HIMSWAN would reduce travel time and expenditure consumed in grievance redress and in passing information and directions to the quarters concerned. Mr. Dhumal said 50 “Sugam Centres” had been set up all over the State delivering services and business to citizens under a single roof and the facility would be extended to the rest of the uncovered areas in a phased manner.

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Himachal launches e-governance plan

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