HYDERABAD, JAN 3: After pioneering efforts to usher in electronic governance, Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to become the most networked state in the country with an integrated citizen services network being planned to cover the entire population.``In the next one-and-a-half years, we will put in place a high speed fibre optic network throughout the State offering a one-stop service to citizens,'' Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told PTI in an interview here.The aim was to usher in `anytime anywhere' concept wherein the people could have access to government information and services from any place either through electronic kiosks or through internet, Naidu said.On a pilot basis, the TWINS (twin cities network services) project was launched by Chief Minister here on December 30 which is envisaged as a one-stop citizen services facility covering six government departments.Under twins, a networked platform for multi-delivery channels with value addition, 18 citizen-related services are coveredincluding utility bill payments, issuance of certificates of caste, encumbrance, vehicle registration, driving licenses and municipal permits.``We want to extend this network throughout the State as quickly as possible as part of our mission to use information technology to improve government-citizen interface and facilitate effective, transparent, quick and hassle-free services,'' the Chief Minister said. The computer-savvy Naidu, who has scripted a paradigm shift in development policies making information technology a major tool in governance, said his government was planning to rope in cable operators, private telecom service providers, it companies and other corporate groups to establish a high bandwidth optic fibre link across the State.``We are contemplating floating a consortium in this regard that can synergise all these players to create a unique platform of citizen services network,'' Naidu said.Asserting that electronic governance would continue to be his focus area,Naidu, ``We want toabsorb the best technologies and management practices in the world to develop AP as a model state in the country.''As a logical extension of the twins, which now covers six departments including revenue, municipal administration, transport, power and metro-water services, several other services, involving central government departments, like passport applications and payment of telephone bills would be included in the project, Naidu said.The Government would, if necessary, enact relevant cyber laws to accord legal sanctity to the documents issued through integrated computer network, he said.Simultaneously, efforts were on to increase Telugu content on the internet, the Chief Minister said adding, ``We will soon come up with a detailed programme in this regard.'' Brushing aside the opposition criticism of his economic reforms, Naidu said they were only part of overall reforms process initiated by his government to promote excellence in every field and thereby improve living standards of the people. Hesaid several states were emulating the policies and programmes taken up by his government and made a particular mention of his pet programme `Janmabhoomi' (development through community participation and self-help).``Karnataka has said it will implement clean and green programme and Janmabhoomi. West Bengal has unveiled IT policy on lines similar to ours,'' Naidu said.As per the package for IT industry, unveiled by the State Government in May last year, the IT industry would be entitled to exemption from stamp duty and municipal zoning regulations and concessions in power tariff and land cost, besides simplification of compliance procedures.
