State plans major e-governance initiative

On IT initiative, he said the government would provide a complete back-up with optical fibre up to taluka level. The minister had earlier announced his intention to step up the State’s infotech plan at a Nasscom meeting held in Mumbai recently.

Besides, the traders will be able to file their returns on-line from next year, adding that there are 4,65,000 sales tax assessees who file 4 million returns every year. He informed that in addition to the computerisation of 1,500 sales tax offices, attempt will be made to connect it with banks in a time-bound manner.

A new concept of sales tax nakas will be introduced shortly in a bid to further simplify the procedure which would help to increase the sales tax collection substantially in the state, he said.

The government has so far developed almost 50 important applications including the one relating to registration of deeds, stamp duty, works management, tendering and human resources. "All these initiatives on e-governance will ultimately enable payment of various taxes via internet in the state," he added.

In fact, he said all government tenders above Rs 10 lakh would be henceforth posted on the internet. "An all out effort will be made to re-engineer the government process to make this happen," he added.