Cyber Security Policy, Digital Vision Document launched
JK has come out of terror phase: Haryana CM
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 27: Jammu and Kashmir’s Cyber Security Policy and Digital Vision Document were launched today during two-day 25th National Conference on e-Governance at Katra in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar besides top bureaucrats drawn from the country including the Union Territory.
The conference, which was inaugurated by Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh yesterday, concluded this evening.
“The launch of Digital J&K Vision Document and Cyber Security Policy will promote a common approach to use the power of innovation and secure IT assets in rapidly changing technology landscape,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in his address to valedictory session of the Conference which was held at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
The event also witnessed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Jammu and Kashmir Information Technology department and DITECH Haryana on e-Governance, which is expected to strengthen and deepen the collaboration on knowledge sharing, IT initiatives and best practices in e-Governance.
The two-day conference was organized by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
Sinha said the agreement between the J&K and Haryana is expected to strengthen and deepen the collaboration on knowledge sharing, IT initiatives and best practices in e-Governance.
The J&K Government also signed MoUs with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) for capacity building of the youth and collaborations in the IT sector.
Offer letters were handed over to the interns selected for the digital internship programme providing youth of J&K with opportunity to contribute to existing digital projects of the Government.
A short film highlighting the e-services extended to the people by the J&K Government was also showcased.
In his address, LG Manoj Sinha said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir is an emerging model of digital Government with focus on transparent governance and citizen-centric approach to delivering public services.
“During 2013, the total number of e-transactions was merely 20 lakh. This year, till 25th November, number of e-transactions is 38.50 crore. On an average, Jammu and Kashmir is recording 550 e-transactions every minute,” he said.
SInha said it was because of e-Governance that practice of Darbar Move ended in Jammu and Kashmir.
Asserting that speedy development is the new identity of Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said more than 500 services will be made available online in the next three years for a better digital ecosystem in the Union Territory.
He said delivering efficient, effective and accountable governance is the top priority of his administration.
“Despite being a late entrant in digital transformation, Jammu and Kashmir has achieved several milestones with solid technical architecture at the service of citizens. Speedy development is the new identity of J&K,” Sinha said.
Speaking on the digital transformational journey of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor shared the vision of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to expand e-governance to the next level.
Observing that technology is making a real difference in people’s lives, Sinha said in 2013, the total number of e-transactions was merely 20 lakh.
The IT Department is ensuring that citizens interact and access information and services and provide feedback to improve service delivery, he added.
“Line to online is our prime objective and instead of travelling to Government offices, people just need to walk to the web. Our strategy is to enable the people to access high-quality services anywhere, anytime, on any device,” he said.
He said his administration is also working on the development of IT infrastructure; technology-led market linkages; encouraging emerging concepts like use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture for welfare of farmers; layered public grievances; use of metaverse (for global tourism).
The Lt Governor said initiatives like e-Office, BEAMS-Empowerment, Aapki Zameen-AapkiNigrani, Aap Ka Mobile Hamara Daftar, e-Unnat, Digi Locker, Meri Pehchaan has established accountability and transparency in governance.
“Digital J&K Internship scheme for youths has been started which will provide an opportunity for a student to secure first hand and practical work experience in the IT sector,” he said.
The Lt Governor invited suggestions from all stakeholders to build a better digital ecosystem in the Union Territory
“In his address, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recalled his deep connection with Jammu Kashmir.
“I am witnessing a new, badalta (changing) Jammu Kashmir. We are looking forward to the new J&K-Haryana collaboration and are committed to support the J&K Government in meeting the goals,” he said. He highlighted the IT interventions and several digital initiatives of the Haryana Government to bring transparency in the system and streamlining the public service delivery system.
Khattar paid obeisance at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine before attending the 25th National Conference on e-governance in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Khattar, a one-time pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), expressed happiness over the abrogation of the Article 370 by the BJP-led central government in August 2019 and said Jammu and Kashmir has come out of the terrorism phase and is now marching along on the path of development with rest of the country.
“I had spent three years in J&K (as an RSS pracharak) when there was Article 370 in force and terrorism was at its peak. Our discussions at that time would mostly focus on the steps needed to be taken to tackle terrorism, safeguarding the people and restoring peace (in Jammu and Kashmir),” Khattar told reporters,
Khattar said he is happy that Jammu and Kashmir has come out of the terrorism phase following the abrogation of the Article 370 and all Central Laws have become applicable.
“It is also a happy moment to see J&K marching alongside the rest of the country in the implementation of e-governance for ease of living and making big strides on the development front,” he said.
The Haryana Chief Minister said his visit to J&K provided him an opportunity to meet old friends and no political programme was scheduled during his stay.
Later, addressing the participants at the national conference on e-governance, Khattar said the day is not far when the traditional voting practice will be replaced by e-voting in the country.
“Linking voting rights to e-governance, where one can cast his vote at his home rather than visiting the polling station, is a possibility and there is nothing like that. In many countries, the practice of e-voting has already started,” he said.
Khattar said many vested interests are not happy with the progress of the digitalisation of services because it has checked corruption, fast paced the delivery and benefited the people who need not to visit offices anymore.
“Even some politicians from both opposition and our alliance partners are also having an issue with it as they feel that nobody is now going to come to us,” he said, adding e-governance has a lot of scope and a lot needs to be done in this connection.
The Haryana Chief Minister assured full support of his government to Jammu and Kashmir in realizing the true strength of the digitalization of the services for the benefit of the public.
“We are ready to provide consultancy, training or any other support which you need from us,” he said. Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Secretary, Haryana; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary J&K; V Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG and Prerna Puri, Commissioner/ Secretary to J&K Government, Information Technology Department also spoke on the occasion and shared their views and the positive impact of the National Conference on e-Governance and initiatives taken during the Conference in bringing Citizens, Industry and Government closer.
Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU; officials from Central Ministries and departments; Vice Chancellors of various Universities; ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, CEO SMVDSB Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Babita Rakwal and delegates from different States and UTs were present on the occasion.
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