Srinagar: Commissioner Secretary, Information Technology Department, Saurabh Bhagat, on Tuesday reviewed the progress of key digital governance initiatives being implemented by the Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JaKeGA) and directed officials to strengthen the Union Territory’s digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and citizen-centric service delivery.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Bhagat assessed the status of the Jammu and Kashmir State Data Centre (JKSDC), eOffice implementation, State Wide Area Network (SWAN), cybersecurity initiatives, software development framework, Digital Village Centres, Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives, human resource issues and the Chief Minister’s Internship Programme.
The Commissioner Secretary directed JaKeGA to prepare a comprehensive policy for developing the Jammu and Kashmir State Data Centre as the Union Territory’s sole government data centre with enhanced infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities. He also called for the phased consolidation of departmental data centres into the JKSDC to improve efficiency, optimise resources and strengthen data security.
To streamline digital governance, Bhagat instructed the agency to formulate a uniform software development policy covering project approvals, ownership, source code handover, maintenance and lifecycle management. He also stressed the adoption of standardised technology frameworks to avoid duplication and ensure long-term sustainability.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for an Integrated Command and Control Centre, a Cybersecurity Disaster Recovery Framework, wider adoption of Artificial Intelligence in government departments, expansion of Digital Village Centres, integration of government services with WhatsApp, strengthening of SWAN connectivity and implementation of an IP telephony solution.
Reviewing the implementation of eOffice, Bhagat appreciated JaKeGA for extending the platform to the tehsil and block levels and directed all deputy commissioners to ensure its effective utilisation to promote transparent, efficient and paperless governance.
He also directed the agency to develop the building allotted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Jammu into a Centre of Excellence for cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, innovation, startup incubation and internship programmes.
The Commissioner Secretary reviewed pending human resource issues of JaKeGA and instructed officials to resolve genuine cases on priority. He also asked the agency to expedite online registration for the Chief Minister’s Internship Programme to ensure wider participation of eligible engineering students and fresh graduates across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by JaKeGA Chief Executive Officer Asha Chaudhary Malhotra, senior officers of the Information Technology Department and JaKeGA, while officials from outstation offices joined through virtual mode.
