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The plan is complete rollout of 1,00,000 centers in the current year

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DQI Bureau
New Update

Please give us an update on the rollout of Common

Services Centers (CSCs) that have been deployed.



We have been trying our best to meet the deadlines. So far 81,025 CSCs are

rolled out across twenty-nine Indian states. The plan is to complete the rollout

of 1,00,000 centers in the current year. Our vision is to provide all government

services in an integrated manner at the doorstep of the citizens at affordable

costs.

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Connectivity has been the main issue. Do you think that

once BWA technology gets in place, this issue will get resolved?



Connectivity is an essential component to ensure that CSCs are able to

provide various services to rural masses. DIT is partly funding BSNL to provide

WiMax based connectivity to all CSCs in rural areas. BWA technologies, once

deployed in rural areas will be useful.

Has BSNL been successful in connecting the rural areas?

Are services available in the already deployed CSCs?




BSNL has played an active role in the deployment of CSCs. 12,200 CSCs have opted
for BSNL connectivity (as on June, 2010). Yes, services are available in the

already deployed CSCs. BSNL has enabled all their rural exchanges and it is

expected that all CSCs will be connected with wireline or wireless broadband by

2010.

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What were the other reasons that has led to the dismal

show in the CSC scheme by the government?



Well, in my opinion the show has not been dismal or flop. I do agree that

there were some bottlenecks. Making 81,025 CSCs operational in rural areas in

spite of challenges relating to power, connectivity, lack of services and

difficult terrain cannot be regarded as dismal. This is actually one of the most

successful telecenter projects in the world.

Some states like Gujarat have achieved the best in

terms of CSC deployment, while others like the North East and Himachal Pradesh

have had a poor show. How are you trying to balance this uneven growth?



Hilly areas like the Northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh certainly have

challenges like difficult terrain, etc, but progress in those states is not bad.

Manipur has completed almost 100% CSCs and Assam too has made good progress in

terms of rollout and service delivery. Their 80,000 centers can be a shining

example of micro enterprises across the country.

Archana Singh



archanasi@cybermedia.co.in

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