1.0 Introduction

Information Technology is an important and extremely effective tool through which development and progress can take place with the co-operation of all strata of society including government and the public. Chandigarh Administration is committed to providing a responsive and effective administration for the welfare of the public keeping in view the national objectives. Chandigarh Administration recognises the need to harness the growing power of I.T. for the betterment of the life of the residents of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

2.0 The I.T. Vision of Chandigarh Administration

The vision of Chandigarh Administration is to create a knowledge-based society through extensive use of Information Technology. Chandigarh Administration envisages a scenario wherein every citizen shall be able to access the benefits of Information technology by the year 2005. The residents of this UT are enlightened enough to realise the significance of the I.T. revolution and it is expected that they shall wholeheartedly participate in this movement. The ultimate goal is to use I.T. as a medium for effective interaction between the Administration and the public so that exchange of information and access to government departments is speedy and easy,leading to a better quality of life.

3.0 The I.T. Mission of Chandigarh Administration

• To provide public service for the residents through e-governance which is efficient, speedy and cost effective.

• To promote Industrial development through Information Technology. Creation of IT Infrastructure would be given emphasis so that Industry can utilise this infrastructure for modernisation to increase productivity.

• To reduce unemployment by generating more jobs In Information Technology. The requirement of trained I.T. Professionals is far in excess of the availability and therefore Institutions would be created to bridge this gap.

• To increase exports in the I.T. field by creating a platform for excellence in software development by utilising the services of software professionals.

• To make Chandigarh an ideal I.T. destination.

4.0 Chandigarh – An ideal I.T. destination

Chandigarh provides an ideal stage for the growth of the I.T. culture and optimum utilisation of the benefits of the I.T. revolution. The following features make Chandigarh a potential I.T. leader :

4.1 A planned city like no other – Chandigarh is one of the successes of modern architectural planning and its planned infrastructure provides the ideal foundation for the growth of the I.T. Industry.

4.2 A micropolitan city – A city where the quality of life is excellent, and the disadvantages of large metropolitan cities are not present.

4.2.1 The farthest point from anywhere in Chandigarh is only 9 kms.

4.2.2 A Pollution free environment exists.

4.3 Geographical Advantage – The city is very close to the national capital and is well connected with the rest of the country. Excellent road, rail and air links exist.

4.4 The Institutional edge – The educational environment of the city is highly conducive to the growth of the I.T. Industry. A University, Engineering College, Medical Colleges, Polytechnics and Major Computer Institutes already exist. Computer education is being introduced in schools.

5.0 Advisory Committee on I.T. applications

This committee shall be set up in order to ensure optimum use of the I.T. potential of UT Chandigarh. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide a vision and direction to the I.T. Implementation Committee so that the aims and objectives of the II.T. policy can be achieved. The details of the committee are given at Annexure ’A’.

6.0 Salient features of the I.T. Policy

• I.T. Infrastructure.

• Development of I.T. Industry and Business.

• e-Governance.

• Human Resource Development - Training.

6.1 I.T. Infrastructure

The creation of a suitable base in the field of I.T. infrastructure is essential before further progress can be made. Chandigarh Administration shall endeavour to create infrastructure which shall provide an ideal platform for the growth of the I.T. sector.

6.1.1 Wired City – Chandigarh shall be developed as a "Wired City". The Administration shall create a connectivity Backbone Network within the city of Chandigarh. Internet access and establishment of a Wide Area Network (WAN) for the entire U T including all government/corporate offices and private institutions and individuals, shall be given priority. A Local Area Network (LAN) would be set up in all important government offices.

6.1.2 Software Development Units - Setting up of Software Development units in the UT in large numbers. A single window scheme shall be started to consider requests for public/private sector Software Development Units on priority basis.

6.1.3 Information centres/Kiosks - Use of intelligent Network Service for dissemination of public information. Kiosks (Information Centres) shall be set up for providing information and facilitating public services, throughout the UT. These shall be connected through Internet.

6.1.4 ISPs/Gateway – Promotion of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operations including provision of real time connectivity to international gateways. DOT shall be requested to lease the spare capacity of the existing fibre optic network for data transmission to ISPs.

6.1.5 Internet through cable - Establishment of Internet Access through the Cable T.V. Network shall be done throughout the UT so as to provide speedy connectivity to all the residents of the UT.

6.1.6 Multimedia - To promote further the use of multimedia services including Fax/e-mail and Internet. The aim shall be to reach out to the maximum number of residents who shall benefit from the I.T. revolution.

6.1.7 Rural Areas - Internet penetration in rural areas shall be increased and efforts shall be made to educate the rural population about the benefits of Information Technology. Various departments like Agriculture and Health shall be urged to enlighten the people of rural areas about the benefits of I.T.

6.2 Development of I.T. Industry and Business

The following incentives and facilities shall be provided for the purpose of encouraging companies to come forward for setting up I.T. units in the UT.

6.2.1 I.T. Towers – Construction of I.T. Towers shall be undertaken for the software industry. Plug and play facilities shall be provided, with real time connectivity. These I.T. Towers shall provide the ideal platform for software units to be set up in large numbers in Chandigarh.

6.2.2 Exemption from Inspections - I.T. services companies shall be exempted from inspections under the Factories Act and the Shops & Establishments Act.

6.2.3 Depreciation norms - These shall be as per approved Govt. of India Policy.

6.2.4 Loaning by Financial Institutions- Loans for Capital Investment and working capital requirement would be given as per GOI policy by the Delhi Financial Corporation (DFC). Priority shall be given to I.T. services for provision of financial aid. A number of attractive schemes shall be introduced for the I.T. industry.

6.2.5 Investment and Venture capital – Financial Institutions and Banks shall be allowed to invest in the I.T. sector in the form of equity. A fund has already been set up by the Delhi Financial Corporation (DFC) to provide venture capital for the I.T. sector.

6.2.6 Single Window Clearance – Single Window Clearance shall be provided for all I.T. companies interested in setting up units in Union Territory of Chandigarh.

6.2.7 Annual Awards – Annual awards of excellence shall be given by the Chandigarh Administration for outstanding performers in I.T. These awards shall be given in the fields of software exports, training and e-commerce.

6.3 e-Governance

A Committee for implementation of the I.T. policy in Administration shall be set up in order to make optimum use of the power of I.T. (Annexure ‘B’). The Committee shall ensure that e-governance provides the ideal environment for the welfare of the public by facilitating easy access to government offices through networking. A Task Force shall be set up in each department for this purpose (Annexure ‘C’).

The Action Plan for the implementation of the I.T. policy and e-governance in UT Chandigarh is at Annexure ‘D’.

6.3.1 Departmental Plans - Each government department and agency in U.T. Administration shall prepare a five year I.T. plan which shall broadly define the goal of the department in specific sectors using I.T.

6.3.1.1 Excise and Taxation Department - The implementation of the taxation system prevailing in the UT shall be modified in accordance with the increasing usage of I.T. Online connectivity shall enable simplified procedures for levying of commercial taxes. This shall eliminate delays and bottlenecks in the taxation procedures. A database of registered dealers shall be maintained. Issuance of licences (ST No. & CST No.) shall be computerised and STV registers (Both CHA and CST) shall be automatically updated. Automatic generation of notices, defaulters and pending payments shall be possible.

6.3.1.2 Education Department – All colleges and schools shall be fully computerised and all students shall be encouraged to be I.T. literate. The Education department shall be connected online with all educational institutions including Medical and Engineering colleges. A data bank of students who are I.T. literate shall be maintained and a tie-up with industry for employment shall be ensured. More courses will be introduced in all institutions to produce I.T. Professionals.

6.3.1.3 Municipal Corporation - The residents of Chandigarh shall benefit from the introduction of the I.T. culture in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh. All services provided by the Corporation shall be computerised and residents shall be able to access the various departments of the corporation online from the kiosks, which shall be set up throughout the UT. Public grievances shall be given priority and shall be resolved speedily by the use of computers and interconnectivity. Mapping of the whole area of the UT shall be done and co-ordination between the various departments shall be ensured to prevent repeated inconvenience to the public as and when digging or construction activities are carried out.

6.3.1.4 Estate Office – For the benefit of the residents of Chandigarh, the Estate office shall provide information to all residents via terminals, which shall be set up throughout the UT. Procedures shall be simplified through the use of computers and interconnectivity. Various forms and instructions shall be available online to the general public. All the files of the Estate office shall be computerised and information from them as per requirement shall be made available to the public, while keeping in view the necessity for keeping certain documents confidential.

6.3.1.5 Driving Licences and Registration – All driving licences and Registration certificates shall be computerised and procedures for issuance of new licences and registration certificates and also for their renewal shall be made convenient for the public through online connectivity. Delays shall be totally eliminated and an effort shall be made to provide these documents the same day as the application is made. Smart Cards shall be introduced for registration certificates and driving licences.

6.3.1.6 Treasury – The government treasury shall be computerised and connected online with the UT secretariat and other important offices. All bills and other documents shall be computerised and manual processes shall be minimised. Necessary security checks shall be carried out and a foolproof system shall be introduced.

6.3.1.7 Police – Officers and officials of the Chandigarh Police shall be made I.T. literate. Connectivity between all the police stations and the police headquarters shall be ensured and these offices shall be connected with those of the district magistrate and also the sub divisional magistrate. The UT secretariat and the Police Headquarters shall also be connected online for speedy communication and exchange of information for ensuring greater efficiency in policing.

6.3.1.8 Other Applications – Computerisation of Ration cards, Arms licences, and Births and Deaths certificates shall also be done. Other departments shall be taken up in a phased manner.

6.3.2 Web site – The Chandigarh Administration already has its own web site (http://chandigarh.nic.in/). Comprehensive information about Chandigarh and its various aspects, including the I.T. policy of Union Territory Chandigarh, shall be available on the web site. Interactive web sites shall be developed for all major departments of the Administration.

6.3.3 Budget – At least 1% of the Plan Budget of the Administration shall be earmarked for I.T. applications in the Administration every year. The investment would include expenditure on I.T. Hardware, software, I.T. services and I.T. Training.

6.3.4 Provisions – The re-appropriation of each Department's I.T. budget will be done by its Administrative Secretary. The I.T. budget sub-head shall be within the delegated powers of the HOD, subject to the condition that not more than 65% of the I.T. budget shall be spent on hardware and peripherals.

6.3.5 Accessibility - U.T. Administration will establish a central repository of data elements in government and make it accessible as per Govt. of India policy.

6.3.6 New Appointments - U.T. Administration would give preference in appointment to I.T. literate persons for employment to all public sector and government posts.

6.3.7 LAN/WAN – The UT Secretariat and other government offices shall be intra-connected and interconnected to increase efficiency. In a time bound program personal computers and mobile E-mail/Fax communication will be provided to senior government officers. UT Secretariat will be linked with all departments at other locations in Chandigarh using FO link.

6.3.8 Government Notifications - All government circulars, instructions, notifications, tenders shall be published on web site of Chandigarh Administration.

6.3.9 File Management - An automated, transparent file movement system shall be introduced at various levels of each department/PSU.

6.3.10 Awards - Awards shall be given to the departments/PSUs, which carry out outstanding work in the I.T. field.

    6.4 Human Resource Development (Training)

For creating a conducive I.T. environment, Human Resource Development shall have to be given great emphasis. The success of any new technology revolves around the success of this activity. To develop the required manpower in terms of expertise and number the following shall be pursued.

6.4.1 Infrastructure - All educational institutions will have computer laboratories and access to Internet. An I.T. course module shall be made a compulsory component of all degrees/diploma courses in educational institutions. Courses will be designed to meet current requirement in I.T. industry. I.T. training will be made compulsory for all the students as part of their course in the ITIs/Polytechnics.

6.4.2 I.T. College – The demand for I.T. professionals is growing tremendously in the region. The setting up of an I.T. College, with advanced centres for I.T., shall be given priority. B.Tech. (Information Technology) courses shall be started. Professionals from I.T. industry will also be engaged as faculty to provide practical exposure to the students. Regular visits to I.T. industries in the region will also be arranged to provide practical training. Special courses on Project Management, Software Technology, and Software Marketing, shall be offered by the I.T. College. The courses will be redesigned and restructured regularly to train the students in the latest technologies.

6.4.3 I.T. in Schools - An I.T. course module shall also be made available in schools. The infrastructure created in schools shall be used as a training centre for the public after school hours by the institute, in return for free training to a proportionate number of students from weaker sections. A centralised library with educational CD-ROMs shall be set up, from where the schools can obtain CDs. Schools in rural areas shall have multimedia labs where regular demonstrations in English, Hindi and Punjabi language shall be given, to spread the I.T. culture.

6.4.4 Digital Library – The U.T. digital library project will be launched. Efforts shall be made to make available the database of Central State Library and other major libraries – Panjab University, Punjab Engineering College, etc. This shall also be made available on the Net.

6.4.5 Training for Government Employees - I.T. training shall be made mandatory for all government employees. Courses with different skills shall be conducted for officials at different levels of different departments. Two or three officials from each department shall be identified and trained for in-house Systems Administration. These officials shall be nominated for short-term courses organised by reputed I.T. training institutes at departmental expenses. A few important areas of training at different levels shall include :

Annexure ‘A’

Advisory Committee for I.T. Application in U.T. Chandigarh

The Committee proposed below will meet at least quarterly.

Annexure ‘B’

I.T. Implementation Committee for U.T. Chandigarh.

The I.T. Implementation Committee will monitor the progress of the departmental Task Forces, to implement the decisions/guidelines of the Advisory Committee. The purpose of this Committee shall be to carry forward the vision and direction of the Advisory Committee and get it implemented through the Task Forces. It will also co-ordinate the working of the Task Forces, so that they supplement each other.

The Committee proposed below shall meet after every two months:

Annexure ‘C’

I.T. Task Force

There will be a Task Force in each department, which shall be responsible for the implementation of the I.T. policy in that department. The Task Force shall meet at least once a month and shall monitor the progress of the department’s I.T. plan. Each Task Force shall submit periodic reports to the I.T. Implementation Committee.

The Task Force shall consist of the following-

1. Head of Department (HOD) Chairman
2. Nodal Officer
3. Representative of NIC
4. Representative of I.T. Department

Annexure ‘D’

ACTION PLAN

Implementation of Information Technology and e-governance in Union Territory Chandigarh for Chandigarh Administration

SYSTEM ANALYSIS

1. Identify the functionality of various U.T. departments in respect of public interaction and internal documentation and records.
2. Identify the existing functional modes in each department
3. Identify the interface levels of the department with public or other departments.
4. Identify the existing manpower in respect of their I.T. skill level.
5. Identify the required skill levels for proper public interface.
6. Identify the training modules required for smooth interfaces and gradual changeover to e-governance.
7. Identify the training schedules/schemes creating awareness among the staff to minimise hesitation and resistance.

SYSTEM DESIGN

1. Design basic network services to be provided in the City.
2. Design the departmental infrastructure.
3. Design the public interfaces.
4. Interested organisations for setting up such facility to be identified.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1. Select priority services to be made functional through e-governance
2. Select priority area to be networked
3. Select priority department
4. Implement the plan
5. Check bottlenecks
6. Review Feedback
7. Make an efficient functional e-governance model
8. Implement the model throughout the UT.

For More information please visit http://chandigarh.nic.in/