Minister calls for transparent, citizen-centric, technology driven governance
Srinagar :Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, Science & Technology and Transport, Satish Sharma, on Wednesday chaired a review meeting to assess the performance, achievements, ongoing initiatives and future roadmap of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Information Technology (IT) Departments, with emphasis on strengthening the governance through technology, transparency and efficient public service delivery.
During the recent meeting, the Minister conducted a thoroughly reviewed the working of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department and the Information Technology Department, focusing on key initiatives, infrastructure development, and digital governance projects. The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to food security through a transparent Public Distribution System and emphasized the need for timely implementation of the Chief Minister’s commitment to provide six LPG cylinders annually to eligible beneficiaries. He directed officials to expedite procedural formalities for this initiative and ensure the advance distribution of foodgrains during the monsoon season. The Minister highlighted the successful implementation of the SMART-PDS ecosystem and the integration of various digital platforms to enhance service delivery and transparency. He commended efforts to identify and remove ineligible beneficiaries, which has strengthened the system’s integrity. Additionally, he reviewed the status of capital expenditure works, modernization of food storage, and the expansion of clean energy infrastructure, urging the acceleration of Piped Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas projects. In the realm of digital governance, the Minister assessed the progress of initiatives aimed at creating a secure and citizen-centric digital ecosystem. He reviewed flagship projects, including the integration of government services with WhatsApp and the establishment of a State Data Centre. The Minister stressed the importance of technology in improving public service accessibility and efficiency, directing officers to ensure that digital interventions are user-friendly and capable of reducing the need for physical visits to government offices. The meeting also addressed the achievements of the IT Department, including the successful implementation of e-Office and various cybersecurity initiatives. The Minister called for enhanced cyber resilience and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technologies to position Jammu and Kashmir as a technology hub. He emphasized the need for measurable outcomes and close coordination between departments to ensure effective monitoring and a sustained focus on transparency and citizen satisfaction. The meeting included key officials who provided updates on ongoing initiatives and future action plans.
