E-Governance initiative launched by Meghalaya Government

SHILLONG, Meghalaya: To provide better governance at the doorstep of citizens, the Government of Meghalaya launched e-governance initiatives on Wednesday, July 13. The initiative aims to ensure that these services are available even to people residing in the remotest region of the state.

Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma has launched five online services during the conference of Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Divisional Officers. These services include CM’s Social Assistance Scheme for Persons with Disabilities, National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS), Online Citizen-Centric Service for Ration Card, online Booking of e-Tickets for MTC Bus services and Online Submission of Annual Property Returns.

CM Sangma announced the launch of online services through his twitter account. He posted, “At the DC’s Conference, we launched 5 online services. It has been the effort of my government to make services accessible to the people as part of our e-governance initiatives. Happy to announce the following online services:

The Online Citizen-Centric Service for Ration Card – Ration Cards Management System (RCMS) will be looked over by the Food & Civil Supplies Department. The initiative is part of the digitally enabled Public Distribution System. Through this initiative, citizens will be able to modify family details, transfer/surrender of their ration cards and Aadhar seeding.

Online Booking of e-Tickets for MTC Bus services includes the transport department ready access schedule to potential tourists, booking e-tickets, paying online and keeping the travellers up-to-date via SMS/email alerts.

While under the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS), the Revenue Departments will allow citizens to register land documents with the registering authority for conservation of evidence, assurance of title and publicity of documents and prevention of fraud.

The conference stressed the implementation of ways and means to improve delivery mechanisms and utilising technology to improve delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level. The conference also stressed on disaster management issues following the recent flood situation in the state and improvement of public infrastructure such as schools, police stations and health care centres.

Approximately 1800 government LP schools will be repaired and renovated with the help of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and with District Level Committee. While the education officer will ensure that the improvement and renovation process will also work on essential facilities such as water supply, electricity and furniture.

Similar models will be applied for the improvement of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).

According to the statement of the CM Sangma, the police station in the state will be equipped with computers and Information Technology (IT) solutions, cranes and ambulances will be given to high traffic and accident-prone zones. Additionally, 60 new motorcycles will be provided to control and monitor the traffic situation in East Khasi Hills (EKH). The issue of accommodation for police personnel was also taken up for discussion at the conference. Chief Minister’s Police Medal and Chief Minister’s Disaster Response recognition medals were also initiated to boost the morale of police personnel in the state.