Eyecatchers-46 : 'Net Kiosks in Villages soon' - M.Dinesh Varma

The public-private partnership initiative to bridge the digital divide by opening Internet kiosks across villages in Tamil Nadu is likely to be rolled out over the next few months.

As many as nine players have bid for a stake in operating an estimated 5,400 cyber kiosks or Common Service Centres in the State. The bidding process concluded on Friday and a shortlist is expected to be framed soon.

"We are looking to place orders by the end of the month," IT Secretary C.Chandramouli told The Hindu.

Each kiosk would have a computer, a scanner and printer, besides broadband-enabled Internet connectivity. The Common Service Centres were being set up in the State as part of a Union Government drive to take the benefits of Information and Communication Technology to the grassroots.

An estimated one lakh such centres were proposed across the country on a ratio of one for every three villages. The exercise was estimated to cost about Rs.5,500 crore, to be shared by the Centre, the State Government and the private sector.

The kiosks would offer a range of e-governance services, including issue of application forms, certificates and payment of electricity, telephone and water bills.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 12, 2007