Chief Secretary reviews progress of ‘paperless working’ in Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Secretary Ms. Vini Mahajan, on Friday, held a review meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India and Dr. Rajinder S. Shukla and Joint Secretary Dr. Satya Parkash to make the proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha paperless under 'Digital India'.

According to Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India , Punjab is likely to be among the first states to rollout the National e- Vidhan Application, that involves computerization of the Vidhan Sabha to ensure electronic delivery of information/ data to the MLAs and to interact with State Departments. Under this project each member would have a Multipurpose Touchscreen panel in the House that shall provide them to access all information pertaining to the Vidhan sabha, including questions, answers, budget, speeches etc. and enable him to participate in an e-voting process. The project would also create a facility of Video Conferencing and  enable information dissemination for the common citizens through the public portals. This shall lead to e-interaction and efficient communication between the citizen and their public representative for their grievance’s redressal. With a total project cost of Rs 12.31 crore the project also envisages the setting up of a NeVA Seva Kendra (NSK) for e-Facilitation.

Ms. Mahajan informed that the state government has decided to conduct the proceedings of Monsoon Session digitally and the entire proceedings of the session will be digitized. “The whole process will require 122 touch screen tablets, 40 computers and other equipment’s”, she said. Further adding that as some approvals being obtained, concurrently the capacity building of existing staff is being carried out, and the requisite professional staff is being deployed.

It is pertinent to mention that under the Neva project (National e-Vidhan Application), the Vidhan Sabhas of all the states and Union Territories of the country are being digitized and made paperless. The Neva (National e-Vidhan Application) app and website will also be launched. A total of Rs.739 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.

Prominent amongst others, who were present in the meeting included; Additional Chief Secretary Administrative Reforms Mr. Anirudh Tewari, Principal Secretary Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Alok Shekhar and Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mrs. Shashi Lakhanpal Mishra.