e-District

Government of India has approved the National eGovernance Plan (NeGP) in pursuance of its policy of introducing e-Governance on a massive Implementation Guidelines scale, as enunciated in the National Common Minimum Programme.

27 Central, State and Integrated Mission Mode Project (MMPs) along with 8 support components have been identified and approved by Cabinet under NeGP, to enable and facilitate rapid introduction of e-Governance in the country, with focus on service delivery. As per the implementation strategy, an identified line Ministry/Department would define the service and service levels of their respective MMPs and develop detailed guidelines for achieving the same.

For delivery of “web-enabled” anytime anywhere access to information and service across the country, state will use 3 pillars of eGovernance infrastructure. These are State Wide Area Networks (SWAN), State Data Centre for secure and fail safe data storage, and Common Service Centers (CSCs) as the primary front-ends for service delivery. XML based middleware Gateway infrastructure at the SDCs is also critical for the delivery of e-services.

e-DISTRICT - OBJECTIVE

The objective of the MMP is to target certain high volume services delivered at the District level, but which are currently not covered by any MMP under the NeGP, and undertake backend computerization to e enable the delivery of these services through Common Service Centers in a sustainable manner, within a

specific time frame.

The scheme has been formulated on the premise that

a. Districts are the primary unit for delivery of bulk of the citizen services

b. Quality and content of Government Service Delivery can significantly improve with an integrated approach to service delivery.

c. Capacity building of the district administrative functions and processes will enhance efficiency and accountability in service delivery.

d. The services which would be delivered would have automated work flow and would perforce involve significant process redesign.

e. A Central data repository would be created at the district level, wherein data and information would be collected, stored, retrieved, used and exchanged in an efficient manner at all levels.

f. Enabling backend computerization for delivery of G2C services will ensure optimal leveraging and utilization of the core and support infrastructure such as Common Service Centers, State Data Centre, Statewide Area Network and Service Delivery gateway at the SDCs.

e-DISTRICT – COVERAGE AND SCOPE

The scope for the Project is to be defined with reference to the set of services of the district administration that would be taken up under the Project. The eDistrict Scheme focuses on e-enabling the delivery of majority of citizen centric services, which are administered by the District Administration.

Timelines: The scheme will be implemented in two Phases:

a) In Phase I Pilots would be undertaken covering 1-2 Districts of a State and

b) In Phase II the Project would rolled out across the State subsequent to successful implementation of the pilot.

c) Phase I would be completed within 18 months from the date of approval of the pilot project report. Phase II will be completed within 2 years from the date of sanction of statewide roll out.

The first step in the implementation of the eDistrict MMP (Phase I) would be to identify the pilot district and finalize the list of services that are be taken up under the Project. It is proposed that a minimum of Five (5) services to a maximum of ten (10) services can be undertaken under this Project. The end objective of the Pilot is to give a roadmap for the complete State-wide rollout.

A core list of Five services has been identified at the national level which shall be taken up for implementation by all States which agree to participate in the e District MMP. The State can also add a further Four services, at its discretion, for implementation under the MMP. An indicative list of services, from which the States can choose Five additional services, is at Annexure I. It may be noted that the list of services at Annexure I is illustrative and not exhaustive and States would be free to add additional services other than those indicated in Annexure I, subject to their meeting the criterion indicated in these guidelines.

In States where all or part of the of the services in the core list have already been e-enabled (data for the same is substantially digitized, workflow automated and the services are provided through an IT front end) by the State, then to that extent, State may select other services, subject to a maximum of 10 service in all.

List of Core Services:

Five service categories have been identified at the national level which shall be taken up for implementation by all States which agree to participate in the e District MMP.

(i) Issue of Certificates including services :Birth, Death, Domicile, Nationality, Caste, Marriage, Income, Employment, etc.

(ii) Social Welfare Schemes including services – Social welfare Pensions (Old age, Widow, Handicap, Destitute), Scholarships.

(iii) Revenue Court including services – including Case listing, Case adjournment, Stay orders, Final orders, Status of execution of orders: information, tracking, filing of miscellaneous applications. Also, Government dues and recovery, as part of Land Revenue – including issue of notices, record payments, track default processes, updation of treasury receipts, etc.

(iv) Ration Card related services including services change of address, additions, deletions of members, application for issue of duplicates, etc.

(v) RTI services including redressal of Grievances – application, tracking, monitoring, redressal, appeals, etc at district level. RTI services will be applicable to all departments/offices which have been provided with ICT infrastructure and connectivity for delivery of services under e District Scheme The States while identifying the services under the 5 core services should leverage the services identified and developed under the Implementation of State Portal, SSDG and Electronic Form project.