Raghuvansh to launch project to promote ICT in Bihar on Apr 22

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh would inaugurate a pilot project in Bihar on April 22 to promote Information Communication Technology among rural masses.

The project is being launched by CAPART, an autonomous body under the aegis of Ministry, under which a central studio has been set up at Consultancy-Cum-Guidance Centre at Bania in Muzaffarpur district which would be connected to one remote site at Serukahin Panchayat in Kanti block of district Muzaffarpur.

CAPART has recently introduced a Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) Scheme to render distant services from a single window point to rural masses especially in remote areas of the country through modern ICT. The knowledge centre will be connected to a central studio using technologies viz WiMax/VSAT/leased line.

There will be live interactive sessions in real time by the central speaker with audience at remote villages to disseminate information on any subject of interest to the rural communities.

The purpose of setting up of a VKC is to bring access to a range of services, content and information to people living in remote villages or areas.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has released Rs. 25.11 crore to M/s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd for implementation of 91 road work packages in Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for the year 2007-08.

The grant is towards the Plan expenditure and will be subject to the conditions laid down from time to time in the guidelines of the PMGSY and supplementary directions.

It has already released Rs 203.09 crore to Punjab for implementation of various rural development programmes. The Rural Development Minister in a letter assured Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that requisite Central share of funds under SGRY, DRDA and IAY will be released on receipt of complete proposals from the State.

The Chief Minister has issued strict instructions to the State Department of Rural Development and Panchayats to send immediately complete proposals relating to all these programmes for availing the balance funds under these schemes.

UNI