Arunachal establishes Centre of Excellence for InfoTech

Itanagar, Jun 28 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh yesterday launched the first 'Centre of Excellence for Information Technology', an infrastructure project under the National e-Governance plan.

The centre which was inaugurated here by Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, has been set up to develop e-governance applications, perform pilot projects and to provide communication facilities with satellite bandwith in 16 satellite centres located one at each district of the state.

The establishment of the centre is a great step forward, which is going to serve as an effective interface between the people, business and various government departments. This is not only going to help capture, store, update, process and disseminate critical information involving the various resources of the state but also help develop useful public services delivery application to render services to the people, the chief minister said.

He said the people would stand to benefit from a host of services to be launched as part of the government's e-governance initiatives in various sectors including education, public health, tourism, agriculture, water supply, electricity. Telecommunication, file tax returns, issuance of public distribution and transportation.

Mr. Khandu appealed to all the district collectors to pay immediate attention to fulfil all that to make State Wide Area Network (SWAN) operational on an urgent basis. He said his government would go all out to help and encourage technocrats and entrepreneurs to set for IT, ITES, call centers and BPO projects.

The Rs 4.82 crore project is aimed at promoting successful e-governance besides capacity building and implementing new IT initiatives to attract private sector and enabling remote learning and skill-set building.

IT commissioner Hage Khoda later talking to reporters disclosed that the centre under the department of IT, Science&Technology would impart six-month course in computer applications to 80 meritorious students to be selected by interview to be conducted soon. There would be no course fee as the course would be sponsored by the DoNER ministry, he added.

He further informed that already two such smaller centers have been established in Tawang and Papum Pare districts, while similar centres in other 14 districts would be established within two months.

The state government has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Karnataka State Electronic Development Corporation Limited (KSEDCL) who would provide manpower for these centers at the initial period besides providing logistic support, he added.

UNI UPB PL RD1247