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Lokmitra Centres To Provide Government To Citizen services
Shimla: During question hour in the Vidhan Sabha, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal stated that the government was encouraging computerisation of various government services in a phased manner and sum of Rs 25 crore had been provided for the purpose in 2008-09.
In response to a question by Rajesh Dharmani, congress legislator from Ghumarwin – Bilaspur, the chief minister said in Shimla district, integrated community service centre project had been implemented on pilot basis under which 16 Sugam Centre have been established upto tehsil level to provide various government services to the citizens.
In addition to this a project of common service centre is being implemented in the state.
Under this project, 3366 Lokmitra Kendra would be established covering all panchyats by private companies.
Himachal government has signed agreements with these companies and they are in the process of establishing these Kendra’s, said Dhumal.
As per schedule, 25 percent of the centre are required to be set up by March 2009 and the remaining by September 2009.
At Shimla Deputy Commissioner centre the following services are being provided:-
1. Property registration
2. Nakal Jamabandi
3. Certificates
4. Driving licenses
5. Vehicle registration
6. Arms Licenses
7. Disabilities Card
8. Senior Citizens Identity Card
9. HRTC-Ticket reservation
10. Telephone bills collection
11. Electricity bills collection
At Sub-division level centres
1. Property registration
2. Nakal Jamabandi
3. Certificates
4. Driving Licenses
5. Vehicle registration
At Tehsil/sub-tehsil level centres
1. Property registration
2. Nakal Jamabandi
3. Certificates
Besides, the process of identification of services to be provided through LokMitra Kendra is going on in consultation with various departments and the private companies, the chief minister disclosed.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
Sugam Centre at Shimla DC office is a welcome step. On one hand it offers all facilities under one roof but the charges are on the higher side. Agreed that since these centers are out sourced and they too need to cover the costs but rationalisation of the fee structure is required. Another point I would like to mention is the staff at DC office refers people to Sugam Center for all minor work which can be done easily by these babus. Now the situation is such that these centers have become over crowded and is a same story of long line.
I recall an interesting incident which happened in front of a friend. Few foreigners had deposited money at this center for obtaining Inner Line Permits to travel to Spiti. Now these permits are just a piece of paper and the ADM signs them and are not chargeable anywhere. These foreigners were directed to the Sugam Center where they had to pay the fee and the paper then went to the ADM for his signature. Should not have been a 5 minutes job otherwise. When he went back in the afternoon to collect his own papers, found those foreigners sitting in front of the DC office and still waiting for the bara sahib the ADM to sign the papers. They could not leave the office as the ILP is signed in presence of the foreigners. Beats me what for they paid??