e-district programme galloping ahead in Kerala

KOCHI: The e-district programme is galloping ahead in Kerala with a slew of programmes up its sleeve. In order to speed up application processing, online database verification will be launched on  November 5, according to Kerala State IT Mission sources.“All has been set for the launch. Trial runs have been successful,” said Naufal K P, IT Mission State coordinator. Usually whenever an application is filed online scanned copies of the supporting documents such as SSLC certificate, ration card, driving licence or passport have to be attached to verify age and other details. Once this programme comes into effect, only the number of the required document needs to be entred. This is easier and faster. The corresponding department can get all the details, including photograph, by the click of a button. Besides it is foolproof too as there are chances that the scanned copies can be tampered or misused, according to sources.As all the e-district programmes are being done through Akshaya, a processing charge of `10 has to paid to Akshaya and another `10 to e-district.“Once the pilot programme becomes full-fledged, the fee may be waived. The e-district programme launched in Kannur has been successful in Palakkad too. In the pilot phase 23 services of the Revenue Department were targeted. We plan to increase them to 43 soon, including local self-government and civil supplies,” said Noufal.The Department of Information Technology has selected 640 districts in the country after conducting a survey and in Kerala the designating agency makes the priority list of the districts, said sources. The e-district programme is being done in three phases of four districts each. The programme will be launched in Kasargod, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram in the next phase after which the focus will be on Kottayam, Kollam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts. “We hope to complete it within four months time. C-DIT is training all the officers for the purpose. A fund of `5.9 crore has been released for the purpose and more is due,” said Noufal.