e-Pragati prog will empower citizens: AP CM tells Assembly

Andhra Pradesh has launched an e-governance programme to empower citizens to be active participants in the governance process, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said today.
Making a suo moto statement in the State Legislative Assembly on e-Pragati and the ambitious AP Fiber Grid Project, Naidu said the hierarchial systems in government would be replaced by an "integrated and collaborative operating model" using e-Pragati.
"The single-channel, one-size-fits-all models of service delivery will give way to personalised services delivered through multiple channels. The output-driven processes will be replaced by transparent, outcome-driven procedures," he said.
Citizens would no longer be "passive spectators" but would be empowered to be active participants in governance, he said.

Through e-Pragati, AP would rank among the global leaders in e-governance like Singapore, Australia, Korea, France, USA, UK, Finland and the Netherlands that adopted Enterprise Architecture, the chief minister said.
E-Pragati would also usher in a "certificate-less" system that would eliminate the need for citizens to produce various certificates like nativity, caste etc.

"Now that the Centre has enacted a legislation giving a legal framework for Aadhar, we will use the data and integrate it to various government services. This will ensure transparency and eliminate corruption as various government services will be made available to citizens online," Naidu elaborated.
"The power and visionary nature of e-Pragati framework

has been appreciated by global leaders like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Cisco executive chairman John Chambers," he claimed.
On the AP Fiber Grid Project, the chief minister said three digital corporations would be set up for developing suitable customised local content in the areas of primary sector (agriculture), education and health.
A tower corporation would also be set up to provide seamless wireless connectivity to all citizens of the state.
Smart metering services would also be enabled for utilities like electricity, gas and water.
"AP will become the first Digital State in the country by providing 'Fiber to the Home' (FTTH) connectivity. The AP State Fiber Net Ltd has obtained required licenses for internet service provider, national long distance and unified service access from the Department of Telecommunications," Naidu told the Assembly.

Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, however, alleged that the FTTH service was only to enable the government gain control over certain television channels.
The Rs 333 crore optic fiber cable-laying contract was awarded to people close to the chief minister, Jagan alleged.
Naidu, however, refuted the allegations and said the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder, who quoted four per cent less than the price fixed by the government.