* Chatbot to assist people in availing digital services
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today chaired the 22nd meeting of the Steering Committee of J&K Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to review the implementation of Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for FY 2022-23 and to consider the APOs for FY 2023-24.
Administrative Secretaries of Departments of Forests; Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; Revenue; Tribal Affairs; Planning; Secretary in Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare participated besides many senior officers and HoDs from the Forest Department.
The Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to complete digitalization of boundaries of all forests of Jammu & Kashmir within a year. He directed constitution of joint teams comprising officers from Revenue, Forest, Tourism, RDD, PRI representatives and other stakeholders concerned to facilitate this process.
He enjoined upon them to utilize the latest technology like CORS and GIS in culminating the process scientifically in a time-bound manner. He also underscored the need of fixing boundary pillars demarcating the forest land in the shortest possible time to ensure protection of forest land from encroachment.
While reviewing the work proposals relating to Gharana Wetland reserve, the Chief Secretary directed the Wildlife Protection Department to make it one of the most important tourist attractions of Jammu. He directed that a comprehensive study should be carried out about the habitat and avifauna of Gharana Wetland for its better protection and development. He also emphasized on making arrangements for dissemination of information with visitors and nature lovers so that the visits happen to be a source of infotainment. He told them to look into the potential of developing as a cluster with Border village of Suchetgarh so that both are offered as package to the visitors.
PCCF (HoFF), Dr. Mohit Gera apprised the Committee about the main activities of the Department.
CEO, J&K CAMPA, Sarvesh Rai made a detailed presentation covering actions taken on the decisions of the Committee in its last meeting, progress of implementation of the approved APO of 2022-23 and proposed APOs for the financial year 2023-24.
Later on the Chief Secretary released publications titled “Har Gaon Hariyali under Green Jammu & Kashmir Drive” and “Digitization of Forests: Strengthening of Forest Protection and Management” by Forest Department, “Pollinators: Nature’s Miracle Workers” by J&K Biodiversity Council, and “Key Wildlife Species: Kishtwar High Altitude National Park” by Wildlife Protection Department.
After detailed deliberations on all aspects of the proposals, the Committee approved APOs for next financial year 2023-24 with an outlay of Rs274.00 Cr for its submission to the National Authority, (MoEF&CC), Government of India for their final approval.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary launched a digital initiative of providing chat bot aided assistance to the applicants making online applications for different services through e-UNNAT platform.
On the occasion Commissioner Secretary, IT and Information Departments; Commissioner Secretary Cooperatives; Secretary PD&MD; Secretary GAD; Deputy Commissioners; SIO NIC; other scientists and officers from the NIC and IT Department were present.
Dr Mehta complimented the IT Department and the local chapter of NIC for developing this facility for public. He impressed upon them to take it to the next level so that it guides people about the timelines and methods for applying for specific services. He maintained that the Chatbots like Alexa and Siri have been very successful and should actually guide us in upgrading the ‘Digidost’. He underscored the need of including all the instructions, methods, requirements and information about making applications for the benefit of service seekers.
The Chief Secretary maintained that the digital system has simultaneously given rise to transparency. He remarked that transparency as a rule is having the sunshine effect that acts as cure for several ills prevailing before. He advised the officers to work towards integration of all these services with RAS besides creating the facility for auto-appeal for service within timelines by various departments.
Dr Mehta directed the concerned to notify the rates for availing different services from CSCs across J&K. He emphasized that the rates should be standardized for all of services offered and uniform across the UT besides ensuring their smooth availability for the public.
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