nWhy is the IT dream of Jharkhand not becoming a reality?

Snehil, BIT-Mesra, Ranchi.

We plan to create the necessary infrastructure, which is a prerequisite to realise the IT dream.

It requires a lot of preparation. The process is under way. It will take time. We are creating an information and communication network that will form the backbone of information technology in the state.

nWhat plans do the government have for e-governance?

Rajesh Chaurasia, Lalpur, Ranchi

We plan to introduce e-governance in phases. We plan to start e-seva to put essential services under one window. The departments which directly interact with the people would be under e-seva including revenue, provident fund, transport, commercial taxes, treasury, municipality.

Once the system is launched, people can file their commercial tax returns through the Internet.

We also plan to introduce e-governance in the judiciary, police and urban development. Many departments have been partially computerised. We plan to integrate these sectors.

We also plan to set up community information systems in the blocks. The centres will have information on all development projects in the blocks.

nWhen will Jharkhand have paperless offices?

Siddharth Bakshi, Argora, Ranchi

The aim is to provide transparent and effective service either through paperless or traditional offices. In an ideal situation, the work should be done within a timeframe. We plan to simplify the procedures.

nHow will the state and the students benefit with Microsoft Corporation opening an institute in Jharkhand?

Kalrav Mukhopadhya, Bokaro

The state will benefit in several areas. Microsoft will provide free consultancy, develop system requirement specification, which will be used for e-government applications. We will also have permission to work on their platforms. It will open a centre of excellence in the state, a training centre to showcase their latest products.

We will provide the infrastructure, but the company will impart training. The centre of excellence will also work as a certification centre. Students can take the test to get certified.

nThe official website of Jharkhand is not updated regularly. It continues to show outdated information. What plans have been made to regularly update the website?

Shama Tabassum, Heerapur, Dhanbad

We are trying to improve the website. We are working on decentralisation so that responsibility is fixed on the various departments.

The framework on which we are working will ensure that each department updates its information through a direct access to the website.

nHow has the state benefited by chief minister Arjun Munda’s trip to Bangalore?

Shreya Sonal, Harmu Housing Colony, Ranchi

Chief minister Arjun Munda was briefed on two applications, Khajane, which is for treasury, and bhoomi, which is for revenue, at the electronic city.

He also saw a third application called Mukhyavahini, the computer information system at the chief minister’s office there. We are trying to replicate that in Jharkhand.

We are finalising deal with CMC, which has developed the same application for Karnataka and Kerala. The CMC is developing the application for Goa as well. The chief minister’s information system will be called Jharkhand Chief Minister’s Information System (JCMIS).

The government departments will feed their information in the JCMIS and they are bound to update their information as the chief minister will inspect the data.

nThere are plans for mass computerisation in the state of which training is essential. How receptive are our employees and officials in being trained in computers?

Akansha Arora, Bistupur, Jamshedpur

People have realised the importance of computerisation. Employees and officials of Jharkhand are receptive to training, especially the young generation. Once high-speed Internet connectivity is acquired, we will be able to attract the workforce to use computers.