Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh is situated in Satluj valley in the outer hills and covers an area of 1,167 sq. Kms. The district headquarter is 85 Kms from Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh. The New Township Bilaspur is generally considered to be the first planned hill town of the Country.

NIC at Bilaspur The District Centre of NIC was established in the year 1988 and since then is giving yeoman service to the district administration as well as other departments in the district in spreading ICT. Various software have been developed locally as well as at NIC HP State Centre, which are implemented through NIC District Unit.

In 1996 a District LAN for different branches of District Collectorate was set-up wherein 16 Terminals and 15 Printers were installed in different branches of D.C. Office. This LAN connects not only the important branches of the District Collectorate but also other Departments like Directorate of Fisheries, SP Office and PWD. All the offices connected through this LAN have also been provided with the Internet Connectivity.

Achievements NIC is not only involved in catering to the direct IT needs but also actively participates in each & every activity related to IT in the District. Various advances in the computerisation have been achieved and some are briefly mentioned below:

Revenue: One of the major computerization activity being implemented in the district. The Tehsil Centres are ready and shortly the distribution of Copies of Record of rights will be starting from Tehsils. Other activities computerized are Minor Irrigation Census, Gram Nideshika (Revenue Location Directory based upon Census), Agriculture Census etc.

Welfare: The disbursement of the pension to the pensioners of various categories like Widows, Old Aged Persons, Handicapped and Lepers is major task for the department. The department is getting immensely benefited with the computerisation as the software helps maintain the pensioner details, ledgers, Money Orders generation on pre-printed Money Orders. Another software namely ‘Disability Certificate Information System’ helps the department to issue the certificates to the disabled persons for availing various benefits and concessions from the government. NIC District Centre also computerized the information of the survey for the disabled before the issue of the certificates. ICDS related data is entered regularly and is being forwarded to Government of India for further usage.

Finance: The treasury software was the first major software implemented in the district in the year 1991. Database being created in this software is further utilized as input in the computerisation exercises in some of the other departments that includes Excise & Taxation, Finance Department, and Education Department.

Apart from above, some other ICT Applications which are in active use include: Co-operative Statistics Computerisation, DISNIC Taxation, Passenger Goods Tax Software, Education MIS, District Court (DCIS) and All India Education Survey 7 (AIES)

E-Governance Centre In order to give further boost to the ICT spread in the district, an E-governance Centre has also been established recently within the premises of the Collectorate. The E-Governance Centre has been established with the following objectives. Transparency in the working of the Government To ensure greater efficiency, objectivity, accountability and speed in providing services and information to the public. To provide cost effective service and quality of the same. To provide single window for all Govt. Services at District Level. Responsive Administration. To provide a friendly, speedier and efficient interface. To eliminate the middlemen

In the first phase, the Computerisation of Driving License (SAARTHI) has been started in the E-governance Centre. Other e-governance related activities expected to start shortly in this centre include Vehicle Registration (VAHAN), Registration of Land Deeds (HIMRIS), Arms License (ALIS), Passport Form Collection Counter (WEBPASS), Land Records Of Right Nakal (HimBhoomi), Set-up of E-Kiosks to give a citizen interface to the information.

District Website NIC District Centre has developed the official website of District Bilaspur recently. The website http://hpbilaspur.nic.in was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. This Website provides comprehensive information on History, Facts at a Glance, Tourism, Access, Maps, Administration, IT in District, Citizen Services, Martyrs and Gallantry Award Winners, Photo Gallery etc. related to District Bilaspur.

The work of using Information Technology for a better tomorrow does not stop here. NIC Bilaspur is continuously trying to explore new areas where computerisation will help Government as well as common Public. NIC Bilaspur District Unit District Informatics Officer Akhilesh Bharti District Informatics Associate Sanjib Kumar Mishra For further information, mail to bil@hp.nic.in