Microsoft and WB Govt launch kiosk for rural people

Kolkata, Dec 14: Microsoft Corporation along with Rural Development Department of West Bengal has sent up five pilot kiosks (two at Gram Panchayats in Purba Medinipur and three Gram Panchayats in Birbhum district). These kiosks are to assess the information needs of the rural people and viability and sustainability of their operation on commercial basis through women SHG members.

The CM of West Bengal Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharya inaugurated the kiosks; also present at the moment were other ministers.

These kiosks will help deliver the shared visions of Microsoft and the State Government to employ the benefits of ICT to catalyse progress and access to information, education, e-governance, tele-medicine services amongst others within the rural hinterland.

Microsoft provided the IT infrastructure, technology, connectivity and training support for the kiosks at Pipulberia-II GP in Purba Medinipur and at Kankalitala GP in Birbhum district. Shortly, three more kiosks will be made operational for the rural people.

Microsoft has already completed an in-depth training for operation of the kiosks. Women Self-help Group members (3 per centre) have been trained for Purba Medinipur district and male Self-Help Group members in Birbhum district for operation of these kiosks have also been trained.

The State Bank of India will open their rural banking outlet at these Kiosks on experimental basis and for this purpose they have already trained nine women SHG members of Tamluk.

Ms Neelam Dhawan, Managing Director, Microsoft India said "Microsoft is a strong believer in the potential of technology to transform the lives of people across the socio economic divide. We are honored and look forward to support the state government's vision to usher in rural empowerment through IT. The kiosks will not only drive technology access at the grass root level and enable the socio economic development of the rural communities, but also foster a vibrant rural IT ecosystem creating proficient rural IT entrepreneurs."

The Common Services Centres under National e-Governance Plan will be set up across 6797 places in the rural areas of the state. Women entrepreneurs at the village level in such IT hubs would provide services ranging from Insurance, Education, e-health to e-commerce and e-governance relating to Land&Land Reforms, Registration, Transport, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Police, Health&Family Welfare, Education and other utility services. The kiosk model will not only provide local entrepreneurs the prospect to set up and manage these kiosks for content and services but also bring in financial viability for them through sustainable revenue opportunities.

OneIndia News