The information technology and communications ministry has proposed a Rs 3,000- crore plan for creating the infrastructure required to introduce e-governance initiatives in five years.
During a House panel meeting, the ministry proposed to strengthen and extend NICNET to the block level, with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore. This will function as the backbone for implementing e-governance.
The ministry has also proposed to invest Rs 500 crore for creating multiple mechanisms to access the Internet for information and government services. The project will include upgrading PCO booths to Internet kiosks and setting up community information centres.
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The ministry also plans to set up a national institute of smart governance at a cost of Rs 30 crore. The institute will develop solutions for e-governance and provide consultancy and training for the implementation of e-governance.
An Indian portal will also be set up at a cost of Rs 10 crore, which would serve as a one-stop destination for public access to information on various aspects of government functioning.
It would also serve as a single window for the delivery of government services, sources said.
To plug the gaps in information security, the ministry has proposed a Rs 50 crore project for research and development and implementation of technologies and tools for security. Another Rs 70 crore has been earmarked for strengthening the Central Certification Agency to issue digital certificates for ensuring authenticity of electronic deals.
A national disaster management knowledge network is being set up at a cost of Rs 650 crore.