Introduction
Information Technology (IT) has emerged as a transformative force in the modern world, reshaping industries, communication, and governance. Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has witnessed significant developments in the field of information technology in recent years. As a critical driver of economic growth and innovation, the IT sector in Uttar Pradesh has garnered attention for its contributions, initiatives, and its potential to shape the future of the state.
Some points
Uttar Pradesh is one of the leading electronic states in the country. The State Information Technology Department was established in 1974. In 1998, the government changed its name from the Electronics Department to the new name IT and Electronics Department.
To provide educated youth in the state with more and more employment opportunities, the Information Technology and Startup Policy 2017 was approved on December 13, 2017. This policy offers more benefits compared to the policies of 2012 and 2016.
To provide the necessary infrastructure for making Uttar Pradesh an electronics manufacturing hub, the New Electronics Manufacturing Policy 2017 was issued on January 1, 2018. Under this policy, Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway region have been declared as electronics manufacturing zones. The goal is to attract an investment of 20,000 crores INR in the electronics system design and manufacturing sector by 2022, creating job opportunities for 300,000 people in the state.
At present, under the Department of Information Technology and Electronics in Uttar Pradesh, not only are two government undertakings operational (U.P. Electronics Corporation Limited and U.P. DESCO), but projects related to the electronics and information technology sector in the state are also being implemented with the cooperation of other organisations. These organisations include UPSIDC, NIC, STPI, C-DAC, and others.
UPDESCO
Uttar Pradesh Development System Corporation Limited (UPDESCO) was established on March 15, 1977. This corporation is a government-owned company and operates under the Department of Information Technology and Electronics (I.T. & E).
Its primary objectives include providing technical solutions for the evaluation of projects and programs, assisting in data management, and resolving managerial issues.
UPDESCO serves various departments and consists of three divisions :
- the Consultancy Division,
- the Computer Division, and
- the Education and Training Division.
U.P. Electronics Corporation Ltd.
U.P. Electronics Corporation Ltd. operates as a government-owned company under the State’s Department of Information Technology. It was established in 1974 and reorganised as an independent company in 1976. The primary objectives of this company are to promote the development of the electronics industry in the state, execute plans related to the development of the electronics industry as the state’s agent, enhance research and development in the electronics sector. Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the realisation of the state government’s ‘Smart State’ goals through e-governance, e-commerce, distance education, software development, e-business, and more.
This agency plays a special role in implementing the e-governance plan in the state.
Software Technology Parks
This plan is being implemented with the assistance of the Software Technology Parks of India. In the year 1997-98, Software Technology Parks in Noida and Kanpur became operational, followed by Lucknow in 2001 and Prayagraj in 2004. Additionally, more parks are being established. The operational parks are exporting software and earning foreign currency.
E-Procurement
This system has been implemented to make the procurement process transparent and convenient in various government departments such as Public Works, Irrigation, Printing, Stationery, Industries Directorate, and others.
National E-Governance Program
This centrally-run program aims to expedite the transition of predominantly administrative tasks into electronic systems and ensure the rapid exchange of data, making administrative services easily accessible to people.
Centre for E-Governance, U.P.
Centre for E-Governance, U.P., was established on March 7, 2006, under the Information Technology and Electronics Department of the state. It operates under the National E-Governance Plan and serves to assist in the management of projects, State E-Mission Teams, and other information technology institutions. Through this organisation, various initiatives are being carried out in the state as part of the National E-Governance Plan. These initiatives include SWAN, Common Service Centre, E-District, State Service Delivery, Gateway, State Portal, E-Forms, State Data Centre, and more.
SWAN Project
Under the Central E-Governance Plan, State Wide Area Networks (SWAN) with 2 Mbps bandwidth have been established across the state for the rapid provisioning of government data and information. A total of 1885 network centres have been set up at the block level.
State Data Centre
Under the National E-Governance Program, a data centre has been established in the UPDESCO building in Lucknow, housing the offices of the Chief Minister and 81 departments, offering 250 services. This centre stores information and data related to all these departments, which is essential for the benefit of the public through Jan Seva Kendras.
E-District Project
Under the E-Governance Plan, this project was initiated as a pilot project in January 2007-08 in six districts. These six districts are Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Gorakhpur, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, and Sitapur. The objective of this project was to provide various government services to the citizens of the state electronically. It aims to deliver services under a single-window system. In January 2010, it was implemented statewide, making Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to do so.
Under this project, a total of 133 integrated services, including income, residence, caste, birth-death certificates, senior citizen, disabled and widow pensions, revenue court services, and public distribution, come under 15 departments.
The objective of this scheme is to make various services available in rural areas, and for this purpose, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models are being used to establish Jan Seva Kendra / Lokvani Kendron (Common Service Centres).”
Women Power Line 1090
Women Power Line 1090 operates with the objective of providing social security to the women of the state. The Uttar Pradesh Police manages its services based on the S.P.I. model through the UPDESCO portal www.1090up.in, and this has been in operation since November 15, 2012.
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A plan to quickly deliver police assistance to the people in the state has been operational since October 26, 2019. This is also being managed through UPDESCO.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Information Technology in Uttar Pradesh has undergone remarkable growth and transformation, making it a vital pillar of the state’s development. With initiatives aimed at fostering digital literacy, encouraging entrepreneurship, and establishing IT hubs, Uttar Pradesh is poised to become a prominent player in the Indian IT landscape. However, challenges such as infrastructure development and skill enhancement must be continually addressed to ensure sustained progress. The journey of IT in Uttar Pradesh reflects the state’s commitment to embracing the digital age and leveraging technology for the betterment of its people, thus holding promise for a brighter, more connected future.
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