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Jharkhand Agency for Promotion of Information Technology, the nodal agency and prime mover to propel IT growth and implement IT and e-Governance projects in the State, has been established to accelerate growth of IT and implement the State Government’s policies in the IT sector, explains Kaushlendra Kumar Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Jharkhand Agency for Promotion of IT (JAP-IT) in conversation with Shivani Tyagi of Elets News Network (ENN)

What was the drive behind establishing JAP-IT and what objectives it is mandated to achieve?
JAP-IT was established according to the guidelines of Government of India by the Department of IT & e-Governance, Government of Jharkhand. It was established as society registered under the Societies Registration Act 21, 1860 on 29th March 2004.

The primary objective of JAP-IT is to administer implementation of e-Governance projects for overall benefit of citizens, public and government. Some of its other objectives include providing IT inputs to government departments/ agencies and assisting them in computerisation and networking and assisting government department in introducing e-Governance in their operations.It is also expected to co-ordinate with investors and industry, trade organisations and financial institutions in public and private sector so as to promote growth in the IT sector. Facilitating Human Resource Development in the field of IT in the Government and use of Hindi language in IT-related projects besides undertaking any other function(s) as may be assigned by the State Government are also some other objectives JAP-IT is expected to meet.

Share with us the basic functioning of this organisation.

The business of the organisation as per its aims and objectives are managed and carried out by the Board of Directors. The Board of directors comprise Jharkhand Chief Minister Shri Raghubar Das as Chairman, Government of Jharkhand’s Minister in charge of Information Technology as Vice Chairman, Chief Secretary, Secretary, Department of Information Technology and e-Gov, Secretary, Department of Finance, Secretary, Department of Industries, Director/Joint Secretary, Department of Information Technology are its members. The list of members also include three members of the Society, elected by the General Body, who are known for their contributions in the fields of IT, Industry Human Resource and Social/ Infrastructure Department and Chief Executive Officer, JAP-IT and Chief Executive Officer, JAP-IT. Since 2013 JAP-IT has become a selfsustaining organisation.

How does JAP- IT initiate government projects?

Government projects are initiated by JAP-IT in two different ways. Firstly, Department/ offices themselves approach JAP-IT to assist in IT enablement of process or function in their department/office being the nodal agency for implementation of IT and IT enabled services. Secondly, JAP IT also contacts various departments/offices to identify the scope of IT in the functional domain of the Department. Thereafter the proposal is submitted by JAP IT to respective department/offices and thus the projects are initiated.

How do you view IT Sector’s significance in influencing the Jharkhand government’s endeavour to transform it

The Government of Jharkhand is committed to provide Simple, Moral, Accountable, Efficient and Transparent (SMART) Governance. The Government of Jharkhand, recognising the impressive growth of the IT sector in the country, has resolved to make Jharkhand an IT powerhouse and a front-runner in the information revolution. The government considers IT as an agent of transformation of every facet of human life, which will bring about knowledge based society. The State is leveraging IT to uplift people’s lives.The focus will also be to transform Jharkhand into “Digital Jharkhand”

Also Read: Jharkhand Set to Emerge as Investment Hub: Raghubar Das

How would you describe JAPIT’s contributions in IT projects of other state government departments?

Jharkhand Agency for promotion of Information Technology (JAP-IT) is the nodal agency for implementing the IT projects of other departments in Jharkhand. In the span of ten years (since the inception) JAP-IT has implemented many infrastructure projects and various MMPs of other departments. Comprehensive labour management system developed by JAP-IT incorporating labour reforms by Government of Jharkhand was rated No. 1 among Indian states in assessment carried out by DIPP and world bank in 2015. This enabled the state of Jharkhand to secure third rank in ease of doing business among Indian states in a review carried out by DIPP and World Bank.

Can you share a brief account of some of the key projects?

Some of the key projects which have impacted in promoting e governance in the state can be understood as State wide area Network (SWAN), Jharkhand State Data Center, Modern Record Room, Pragya Kendra (CSC-Common service centre), Commercial Tax, e-Nibhandhan, and e-District.

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