Specialized IT Cadre to ensure effective implementation of e-governance programme to boost ‘Digital Punjab’

Chandigarh: The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh envisioned ‘Digital Punjab’ project to transform the State into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by transforming the old established physical ways of doing business and providing government services in new ways that are optimized around real-time system.
 
The department of Governance Reforms and Public Reforms, being the nodal department, has been mandated to undertake the recruitment of State Level IT Cadre to execute various IT and e-Governance projects in the state. The personnel recruited under the IT cadre would be deputed to various state government departments for the purpose of extending technical guidance and support for e-governance programme/initiatives.
 
According to a spokesperson of the department of Governance Reforms and Public Reforms, the recruitment process for 324 IT Cadre Officials has been started and 26 officials have already joined who would soon be deputed to various departments.  The second phase would of hiring Senior System Managers, System Managers, Assistant Managers and Technical Assistants would  be initiated soon.
 
The cadre would provide technical assistance to the departments involved in the execution of various e-Governance/m-Governance projects by ensuring their timely implementation, as well as support in Government Process Re-engineering and simplification of the processes. The move will also help foster the state’s IT capabilities by building a cadre of IT professionals to be recruited through a well-structured process.
 
The need for the cadre was felt by the government on account of the general lack of capacity in various departments for proper implementation of Administrative/Governance Reforms, e-Governance and backend computerisation initiatives. The specialized IT manpower would help the departments coordinate closely with the Department of Governance Reforms and Public Grievances, enabling efficacious implementation of Enterprise Architecture and various e-Governance projects including e-Office.
 
The move will help in effective implementation of the Punjab Transparency and Accountability of Delivery of Public Services Act, 2018 that was enacted with the aim to provide government services within the stipulated time-limits in an electronic manner, by leveraging reforms and emerging technologies.
 
The officials recruited through centralized IT cadre would report to and support respective Heads of the Departments/Administrative Departments and work closely with Department of Governance Reforms and Public Grievances/Chief Minster’s Office for the implementation of transformative agenda, various sectoral reforms and e-Governance Projects besides achieving the principles for better governance.