Chief Minister Hemant Soren Reviews IT and E-Governance Department at High Level
Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren reviewed the updated works and progress of various schemes of the Information Technology and E-Governance Department at Jharkhand Ministry. The meeting extensively reviewed e-governance projects, expansion of digital services, cyber security, data management, digitization of government services, and IT-based innovations. A special discussion was held on "Digital Jharkhand Vision 2029", where officials presented the outline and site plan for IT park construction, and the Chief Minister gave important suggestions. Discussions were also held on the development of the "Chief Minister Data Intelligence Platform", through which an integrated assessment of data and portals of all departments can be done. The Chief Minister directed that IT officers be appointed in every department and every district to increase transparency and efficiency in the working system. He emphasized integrating data from all departments into a centralized system to ensure better coordination and decision-making. The meeting also discussed strengthening the Jharkhand State Data Center and ensuring the security and reliability of data.
*_The dream of Digital Jharkhand will be realized only when technology reaches remote and rural areas_*
During the review meeting, Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren said, "The dream of Digital Jharkhand will be realized only when the benefits of technology effectively reach the remote and rural areas of the state. For this, it is essential to ensure the expansion of digital services to the last person, so that no citizen is deprived of information and services. The Information Technology Department must work with innovation, transparency, and efficiency to ensure that technology makes the lives of common people simpler, more accessible, and easier. He further added that the proper use of modern technologies will not only strengthen and make the administrative system more accountable but also speed up the service delivery system. The empowered use of digital mediums will increase transparency in governance, improve the implementation of schemes, and ensure solid and sustainable progress towards digitally empowering the state."
*_Emphasis on Strengthening Digital Infrastructure and 5G Expansion_*
Reviewing the work of "Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Limited", Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren directed a comprehensive mapping of the state's digital infrastructure. He said that the development work should be ensured in a planned manner after assessing the actual status of digital resources in all areas of the state. The Chief Minister asked to set a target of connecting all the Panchayats of the state with 5G network in the next three years, so that high-quality digital connectivity can be made available even in rural areas. Important projects like BharatNet Phase-3, Connecting Jharkhand, and State Wide Network (JharNet 2.0) were also extensively reviewed in the meeting. The Chief Minister called these projects the foundation of the state's digital development and said that a strong, secure, and integrated digital network will prove to be the backbone of the state government's working system. Through this, data, voice, and video conferencing services will be further strengthened, ensuring speed, transparency, and efficiency in administrative work.
*_Instructions to Centralize Data, Strengthen Cyber Security, and Regularly Update Digital Succession Chart_*
During the review of JAP-IT, the Chief Minister directed to fill the vacant posts in the institution to increase the speed and efficiency of departmental work. Along with this, the progress of CCTV network, Lidar, and satellite-based projects in police stations was also reviewed in detail, and emphasis was placed on completing these projects within the stipulated time. The Chief Minister said that digital technology is a strong and effective medium for good governance. He instructed the officials that all departments should link their services to the online platform in a phased manner, so that common citizens can get information and benefits of government schemes in a simple, transparent, and time-bound manner. He also said that the objective of technology is to make administration more accountable, transparent, and citizen-centric. The Chief Minister directed to prepare a photo-based digital succession chart in all departments and keep it regularly updated, so that the identity of officers and administrative clarity is maintained. He emphasized centralizing the data of all departments of the state in a uniform format and developing a state-of-the-art cyber security system, directing regular security audits.
*_Emphasis on Identifying Internet Shadow Areas and Expanding Digital Connectivity Across the State_*
With the aim of strengthening digital connectivity in the state, Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren directed the identification of internet shadow areas (where network is unavailable or very weak) and phased expansion of the network. He clearly told the officials that no village, town, or city in the state should be deprived of digital services. For this, he asked to prepare a concrete and time-bound action plan to provide 5G internet connectivity to every area, so that education, health, administrative services, and digital governance can get a new impetus. During the meeting, officials also informed about the progress of the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojana. They presented detailed information about the number of applications received on the scheme's portal, their verification process, and the Aadhaar-based payments being made to eligible beneficiaries so far. In this regard, the officials also presented the outline of the arrangements being adopted for effective implementation, transparency, and timely payment of the scheme before the Chief Minister.
*_Modernization of Judicial Facilities and Development of IT Ecosystem to be Worked Upon_*
Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren suggested installing high-quality sound systems in all district courts, so that the dialogue between judges, lawyers, and litigants can be clearer, smoother, and more effective, ensuring efficiency in judicial work. The Chief Minister said that the development of the state should not be limited to IT park construction alone, but it is essential to develop a comprehensive and strong IT ecosystem. This includes promoting IT industries, fostering a startup culture, supporting innovation and research, strengthening skill development, and creating broad employment and self-employment opportunities. He directed the officials to prepare an effective and practical action plan to attract investment in the state, which can provide new opportunities in the IT sector for the youth. Along with this, the Chief Minister directed to ensure regular monitoring of all the department's projects and to complete pending works within the stipulated time frame, so that the benefits of the schemes can reach the general public on time.
*_The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shri Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, Departmental Secretary Smt. Pooja Singhal, Special Secretary Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, Director IT Ms. Madhavi Mishra, CEO JAP-IT Shri Chandan Kumar, and senior officers of the concerned department._*