In a significant step towards application of IT in Governance transformations, Chief Secretary  Suresh Chandra Mohapatra has put high-speed internet connectivity to blocks and GPs on a priority agenda of the Government.

Reviewing the progress of Bharat Net project in State-level Implementation Committee meeting here on Wednesday Mohapatra said, “In today’s context, internet connectivity is a basic requirement for maintaining high growth rate in rural sector. It will help the process of people’s empowerment and capacity building besides adding to quality education and health services.

People can avail various services provided through online mode. GPs can also be connected through video conferencing. The Chief Secretary set the time line for completion of the different phases of work at the ground level. Target was set to complete of the physical work by end of May, 2021.

 It was also decided that all Government offices including the schools, medicals, banks and common service centers could access the broad band connectivity.  The telemedicine centers and agriculture kiosks would be connected for facilitating healthcare, e-learning and profitable agri-commerce. Electronics and Telecommunication (E and IT) Secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra said, “With completion of the work, OCAC would be the chief bandwidth provider in remote areas of the State”.

The ground level activities have been put on fast track. So far, 3,945 blocks and GPs have been provided the connectivity under Phase-I. The road map for connecting balance blocks and GPs have already been rolled out under Phase-II.  The Phase-II work is being executed under the joint collaboration of OCAC, OPTCL and Tarasoft”. “This infrastructure will bring all the GPs within the scope of SWAN network. Its dark fibers can also be hired to the telecom and internet service providers on commercial basis, Mishra added.