Winds of Change

If there is one thing constant in life, it is change. But, change is not a
sudden process, it happens over a period of time and often with concerted
efforts. Thats the story of Lakshadweep as well. The Union Territory of
Lakshadweep is a group of thirty-six coral islands and islets of which eleven
are inhabited. These islands lie scattered randomly in the Arabian Sea, about
220-420 kms off the Malabar Coast; geographically isolated, each island behaves
almost like a country by itself (called Nadu in local tongue, meaning Desh
in Hindi).

Lack of adequate transport facilities and deficiencies in communication in
these islands pose a major problem for the masses. It takes around eight days
during the normal season and fifteen days during the monsoon to go to the
headquarters, the island of Kavaratti, and avail of important services and
return to ones native island. To virtually integrate these far-flung islands,
the Lakshadweep Administration has implemented several e-governance projects
with a focus on delivering services virtually anywhere, as also to usher in
transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the extension of public
services. Information and communication technology has helped digitally
integrate the geographically dispersed islands in respect of several important
needs of life.

With success comes recognition and in 2007, in recognition of our concerted
and scientific efforts, two of the e-governance projects have been selected for
prestigious awards for the best e-governance practice and sustainable e-content.
This is a clear indication that Lakshadweep is not lagging behind anymore. Some
of the major projects undertaken by the administration recently would give a
flavor of our ICT endeavors.

BV Selvaraj

Total Digitization of Employment Services: The aim of this e-governance
project is to safeguard objectivity and transparency in providing employment and
in facilitating dynamic utilization of human resource, and bringing employment
exchange services to the doorsteps of the people of Lakshadweep. Timely and
systemic online registration from any part of India or abroad, maintenance of
seniority and online sponsoring of names to employers/government departments has
been achieved under this project which goes a long way in bringing trust between
government agencies, the unemployed person, and the numerous job seekers.
Services are now virtually made available in all the islands. Incidentally,
Lakshadweep has attained the unique distinction of being the first UT/State in
the country to fully digitize its employment exchange and related services in
the country. The ministry of Labor and Employment, Governement of India, has
also evinced interest, as this project has a high replicable potential and would
definitely help the young human resource of India to dynamically and objectively
participate in rapid economic development.

Web-enabled Lakshadweep Electricity Department (Web-LED): The Web-LED project
is a total e-governance solution designed for the Department of Electricity,
providing for a digitally integrated department where all the services to the
consumers, employees and business are available online from anywhere. All the
offices of the department in the islands and mainland are interconnected through
NICNET-VSAT facilities. Web-enabled workflow systems have been developed for all
the public activities of the department, namely electricity consumer management,
energy billing, complaints management, materials management, human resource
management among others. It is notable that every household in every island is
electrified in Lakshadweepthis is the first case of universalization of
electricity. Under this project, a consumer can prepare his own bill through
self-reading of meters. This project has deservedly received the CSI-Nihilent
e-governance award 2006-07 for the best e-Governed department.

Videoconferencing Facilities: Videoconferencing facilities have been
installed this year in all the inhabited islands. This facility is provided
through the NICNET-VSATs installed in all the islands, including the smallest
and remotest island of Bitra, having a population of less than 300 people. On
Independence Day, 2007, for the first time in the history of Lakshadweep, I
interacted one-on-one with all the heads of the Village (Dweep) Panchayats and
the deputy collector/SDOs located in the remote islands through
videoconferencing. It has brought the islands closer and has definitely boosted
the morale of the people.

Web-enabled Permit Management Information System: Lakshadweep is a restricted
area and a valid entry permit is required for visiting the islands. Permits are
issued from the administration office at Kochi. The Permit Management System
accepts applications for entry permit and issues the permit. The status of
permit applications can be viewed through the Internet. This is a workflow
system and issues permit after due checking by the authorities. Sub divisional
officers and station house officers in various islands get advance information
about the permits issued and they can verify the authenticity of a physical
document by cross checking it in the Web. The system is being upgraded to accept
applications on-line from anywhere.

Web-enabled Students Scholarship Management System: The system is used for
processing scholarships for students from Lakshadweep studying in various
educational institutions in the mainland. The system validates the scholarship
claims based on the pre-assigned criteria, processes the claims, and generates
the sanction orders and the bills. Students and their institutions can get the
status of their scholarships from anywhere in India.

Computer Labs: Lakshadweep possesses the unique distinction of having
Computer Labs and Internet facilities in all schools. There are thirty-three
Vidhya Vahini Community Information Centers functioning in the territory,
providing Internet services to the public for availing various services. The
EDUSAT facility has also been made available in all high schools and one
receive-only EDUSAT terminals in all other schools in the territory Central
Integrated Police Applications (CIPA): All the police stations in Lakshadweep
have been provided with adequate computer hardware and software for implementing
the Central Integrated Police Applications. They are being stabilized and the
project will take off shortly.

Ever Alert: The Web-enabled medical inventory management system proposes to
inter-connect all the hospitals, community health centers (CHCs), and primary
health centers (PHCs) in various islands and the Medical Directorate at
Kavaratti. The availability of medicines and various appliances, with their
complete details in any hospital, CHC or PHC will be made available to the
concerned officials through the Web. The system would ensure ever alert
authorities whenever there is a shortage of medicines or appliances in any
island.

Telemedicine: The telemedicine facility provided by the ISRO is available in
five hospitals on the islands. A close liaison is being established with reputed
hospitals like AIMS, CMC, and Vellore for effective use of the facility.

The Right Approach

The use of right technology in the right place, with appropriate
administrative reforms, can benefit the masses at the base of the pyramid of the
society. Web-based services are most suited for hinterlands like Lakshadweep and
other geographically isolated territories. Internet facilities bring mobility
among the youth to any part of the world, removing physical constraints and
sluggishness.

Meaningful and structural administrative reforms coupled with ICT measures
can flourish symbiotically. Our administration has been striving towards
effective administrative reforms through aggressive e-governance measures along
with all the political representatives, including the Member of Parliament,
chairman and members of the district and village (Dweep) panchayats. We are
going to have a basket of e-governance projects, and may even compete shortly
for becoming the best e-administered State/UT of the country.