Indian islands a role model in egovernance

Lakshadweep islands look like emeralds in the vast expanse of blue sea. Varying hues of turquoise blue translucent water surround them. Coral atolls, the matchless marine environment with myriad colours resulting in complex interaction of animate and inanimate things.

Built on ancient volcanic formations are the Lakshadweep (meaning a hundred thousand islands), the smallest Union Territory of India. Of these, 10 islands are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy.

The islands have been linked through VSAT / Photo credit: igovernment

Lack of adequate transport and communication facilities in these islands pose a major problem for the masses. It takes around eight days during normal season and fifteen days during monsoon to go to the headquarters island of Kavaratti and avail important services and return to one’s native island.

To virtually integrate these far-flung islands, Lakshadweep Administration has implemented several e-governance projects with focus on delivering services virtually anywhere, as also to usher in transparency, accountability and efficiency in the extension of public services. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has played a major role in digitally integrating the geographically dispersed islands in respect of several important needs of life.

Digitising services

An electricity consumer preparing his own electricity bill after reading the meter may be a dream in any part of India other Lakshadweep where it is a reality. The digitally integrated Department of Electricity provides online services to consumers. All the offices of the department on the islands and the mainland are connected through NICNET-VSAT facilities. Web-enabled systems have been developed for consumer management, energy billing, complaints management, materials management and human resource management.

Total digitisation of employment services is one such project. This e-governance project aims at safeguarding objectivity and transparency in providing employment and bringing employment exchange services to the very doorsteps of the people of Lakshadweep. 

Timely and systemic online registration from any part of India or abroad, maintenance of seniority and online sponsoring of names to employers/ government departments has been achieved under this project. Incidentally, Lakshadweep has attained the unique distinction of being the first Union Territory / State in the country to fully digitise its employment exchange and related services in the country.

Being scattered in the Arabian Sea, shipping is truly the lifeline of people of Lakshadweep. All the thirteen port offices of the administration have been interconnected, extending the NICNET's VSAT based communication network. This network has enabled web-based ship ticket passenger reservation and cargo booking systems. The ship schedules, ticket availability are now available through Internet providing transparency and easy access. This project had also received Microsoft National e-Governance award for 'innovative project.

Video Conferencing facilities have also been installed in all the inhabited islands. through the NICNET-VSAT's including the smallest and remotest island of Bitra, which has a population of less than 300 people. It has brought the islands closer and has started a new wave of development

Lakshadweep is a restricted area. A valid entry permit is required for visiting the islands which are issued from the administration office at Kochi. The status of permit applications can be viewed through Internet. The system is being upgraded to accept applications online from anywhere.

Benefiting students

Also, web-enabled Students Scholarship Management System for processing scholarships for the students from Lakshadweep studying in various educational institutions in the mainland is already under implementation. The system validates the scholarship claims based on the pre-assigned criteria and processes the claims and generates the sanction orders and the bills. The students and their institutions can get the status of their scholarships from anywhere in India.

Lakshadweep also, possesses the unique distinction of having Computer Labs and Internet facilities in all the schools. There are 33 Vidhya Vahini Community Information Centres functioning in the territory providing Internet services to the general public for availing various services. The EDUSAT facility is also made available in all high schools. Pioneering work has also been accomplished in Web Enabled Medical Inventory system (medicines and appliances) and   Telemedicine facilities in Lakshadweep.

Where there is a will there is away. Technology is there for every one to use but it requires appropriate administrative reforms strong determination to implement it for betterment of the masses. Lakshadweep has shown the way.