DEMAND NO. 19
The Government of Sikkim is giving immense importance
to the Information Technology sector. It wants to achieve better governance
through the use of information tools, income and employment generation
through private sector participation and empowerment of rural communities
to reduce the yawning digital divide. Making all government employees
computer literate is also high on the agenda of the administration.
‘Sikkim- The People’s Vision’ an important Government
document has identified Information Technology as one of the thrust
areas to put the state on an accelerated path of eco-friendly sustainable
development. It can be developed as a major service-oriented industry
without harming or damaging Sikkim’s natural wealth and beauty – its
forest lakes and the entire natural environment. High literacy, absence
of labour problems, a pleasant climate are factors that are conducive
to the development of IT enabled services in the state.
Keeping the objectives in mind, the Department has
taken many initiatives in the field of Information Technology some
of the which are listed below:
40 Community Information Centres have been established
all over Sikkim. Equipped with computers and a direct satellite link
for internet access, these Centres have become very popular with the
public and are being used for gaining basic computer skills, accessing
the latest news including that pertaining to employment and tender
notice, downloading forms etc.
Over the last one year, close to 500 government employees
have been imparted computer familiarization courses. Short orientation
courses on various sortware packages that have been developed by us
in-house are also being undertaken on a regular basis. Low cost multimedia
course is also being run by the Centre for Research and Training in
Informatics (An autonomous body under the Department of IT).
Hosting the official website sikkimgovt.org which
is a rich repository of information containing the Sikkim Herald,
government gazettes, prevailing prices of agricultural commodities,
important notifications health related material etc.
Office automation software packages like paybiling,
personnel information system and budgeting have been developed and
implemented for various Government Departments.
CD Rom on the cultural heritage of Sikkim is being
developed.
The Department has been allotted funds under the
Annual Plan outlay the details of which are as follows:
Salary:
Rs
6.00 lakhs
To meet expenditure on account of salaries for the
establishment of the Department.
Travel Expenses
Rs
4.00 lakhs
The fund is required to meet expenditure on travel
for the Secretary, Addl. Director, Technical Assistants and other
staff to attend various meetings outside Sikkim as well as inspection
tours of the Community Information Centres (CICs).
Office Expenses
Rs
15.00 lakhs
The wages of 40 Chowkidars hired for the Community
Information Centres is being paid from this Head, Printing of pamphlets
and brochures on the usage of CICs for distribution to the public
has also been taken up. New telephone connections for the CICs strengthening
of electrical service connection, provision of white boards etc, is
also being done. A small computer training centre been set up by the
Department at the Zilla Panchayat Complex at Namchi for the benefit
of the Government employees for which furniture had to be purchased
and electrification done. Expenditure to meet the cost of organizing
workshops on e-governance has been incurred.
Other Administrative Expenses (Training)
Rs
21.00 lakhs
The Department of Information Technology has embarked
on an ambitious plan to train all Government employees in the use
of computers in the next few years in collaboration with a private
computer training institute. The training fees for the Government
employees is being borne by us.
Computerisation of the personnel Information System
of the entire Education Department has been entrusted to us. The Department
of Information Technology will be purchasing computers worth Rs 11
lakhs for this purpose and developing the software.
Minor Works
Rs
10.00 lakhs
Tollets require to be constructed in the newly established
office of the Deparmtnet on the top floor of the Annexe I. Modular
partitutions and furniture also require to be set up for various junior
level officers of the Department.
Grants in aid to CRTI
Rs
4.00 lakhs
An autonomous body Centre for Research and Training
in Information has been established under the Department. This body
would be involved in implementing various projects that are being
funded by the Government of India. Funds would be required to meet
the day to day expenditure.
Motor Vehicle
Rs
1.5 lakhs
To meet expenditure on account of fuel and lubricants
and maintenance of the two vehicles of the IT Department
Machinery and Equipment
Rs
8.5 lakhs
Funds are required for the procurement of equipment,
software and taking leased lines on hire from the BSNL.
Software Technology Park
Rs
30.00 lakhs
The SIDICO has been entrusted with the task of setting
up a Software Technology Park in Gangtok. An MoU has been signed between
SIDICO and the Software Technology Park of India for this purpose.
The Software Technology Park would provide the infrastructure like
wide bandwidth, incubation space etc for local entrepreneurs to set
up IT enabled services and software development business in Sikkim.
The State Government has committed Rs 30 lakhs as grants-in-aid to
SIDICO for establishing the Software Technology Park in the Sikkim
Jewels Complex at Gangtok.
ABSTRACT
|
Sl.No.
|
Annual Plan Outlay (02-03)
|
Out of WhichCapital Content
|
|
1. Salary
|
Rs 6.00 lakhs
|
-
|
|
2. Travel Expenses
|
Rs 4.00 lakhs
|
-
|
|
3. Office Expenses
|
Rs 15.00 lakhs
|
-
|
|
4. Other Administrative Expenses (Training)
|
Rs 21.00 lakhs
|
Rs 11.00 lakhs
|
|
5. Minor Works
|
Rs 10.00 lakhs
|
Rs 5.00 lakhs
|
|
6. Grants in aid to CRTI
|
Rs 4.00 lakhs
|
-
|
|
7. Motor Vehicle
|
Rs 1.5 lakhs
|
-
|
|
8. Machinery and Equipment
|
Rs 8.5 lakhs
|
Rs 2.00 lakhs
|
|
9. Software Technology Park
|
Rs 30.00 lakhs
|
Rs 30.00 lakhs
|
|
Total
|
Rs 100.00 lakhs
|
Rs 48.00 lakhs
|
|
