BANGALORE: To give an impetus to e-governance, the state government has decided to make it mandatory for all government employees to acquire computer operating skills. What’s more, those lagging behind in this regard will be penalised. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar briefed the Media here on Friday that the state Cabinet had decided to make acquiring computer skills compulsory for all new recruits. Existing staff have been given four years to become computer literate.He said that departments that have minimal or no IT applications will be exempted from the scheme. Existing state employees shall have to prove their computer literacy within three years and those failing to comply will lose their opportunity to get promotion. Also, employees failing to submit computer test certificates in the fourth year will stand to lose their annual increments. And that’s not all. A `5,000 incentive awaits those employees who submit the computer test certificates. “Soon, computer knowledge will be a must for those wanting to opt for state services,” he added. Among the employees exempted include Group ‘D’ category staff, staff nurses, teachers, drivers, constables, forest watchers and guards, process servers in judicial department and those aged more than 50 years.The decision is likely to be resisted as it wouldn’t be practical for all to acquire computer skills.“We don’t object if the rule is made to new recruits. The proposal was made before analysing its problems,” said president of Employees Association of State Secretariat Muddaiah.
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