The National Informatics Centre (NIC) set up its first centre in Lakshadweep at Kavaratti way back in 1988. Subsequently two other NIC units at Minicoy and Lakshadweep administration office at Willingdon island, Kochi were also set up in 1990. Right from its inception, this UT Unit has been rendering Information and Communication Technology(ICT) services to the Lakshadweep Administration. Various Software Packages have been developed for different departments such as, the department of Port, Cooperation, Planning & Statistics, Finance & Accounts, Employment Exchange and Health etc which are extensively utilizing the software specially developed for them. All the departments of Lakshadweep Administration have been provided with e-mail facilities. Software developed for computerization of Ship Ticketing and Entry Permit Holders are significant landmarks in computing activities under taken by the NIC in Lakshadweep. The software developed for Pay-Bill computerization, Electoral Roll and Land Records have also proved to be extremely effective and useful.
Major projects
NIC Lakshadweep UT unit has taken up and implemented various UT level and central projects. Some of the important UT level projects include :
Creation of Socio-economic database for Lakshadweep which contains the details of all families in the entire territory. Various MIS and statistical reports are generated from the same.
The electoral roll for the entire territory has been computerized and the CD-ROM of the electorates has been released. The same is regularly being updated and revised.
Computerised ship ticket advance reservation system has been developed and implemented at Kochi, Beypore and all the nine ports in Lakshadweep islands. One server with terminals are installed at Kochi and client systems are provided at all other locations.
Inventory management information system for the department of electricity has been developed and implemented in five sub divisions. This is being extended to all the sub divisions in Lakshadweep. NIC has also been providing continuous support for the implementation of consumer billing system for electricity consumers.
Permit Holders System for the issue of permits for visit/work to Lakshadweep islands has been developed and implemented at U T administration Office at Willingdon Island, Kochi.
Payment/receipt compilation system has been implemented at Principal Pay and Accounts office at Kavaratti, field pay unit at Kochi, Amini and Minicoy.
Professional college seat allotment system has been implemented at the Directorate of Education for the allotment of seats to various colleges all over India.
A scholarship management information system has been developed and implemented at Lakshadweep administration office Kochi for the issue and monitoring of the scholarships to the students from Lakshadweep studying in various colleges across the country.
Accounts monitoring information system has been implemented in around 32 offices ( DDO’s ) at Kavaratti and Kochi. Payroll management system has been implemented in around 48 offices all over Lakshadweep.
Land Records Information System has been implemented for three islands(blocks) and land register generated. Integration of spatial and non-spatial data for a pilot island is completed.
Under MPLAD programme, NIC has provided multimedia computer systems in all the high schools in Lakshadweep. Five teachers from each school were also trained under this programme.
NICNET Services
A C-200 VSAT was installed at Kavaratti in 1988 and in Minicoy and Kochi offices of the administration in 1990 and 1993 respectively. The NICNET facilities were further extended to all the islands (sub divisions/ blocks) in Lakshadweep in 1994-95 by installing C-200 VSAT’s. Thus it became the first territory in India to have NICNET services/e-mail services in all the development blocks. In 1998, an IPA VSAT was commissioned at Secretariat, Kavaratti and an FTDMA-NG was installed at Lakshadweep Administration Office at Kochi. Almost all the senior officers and departments at Kavaratti have been provided with e-mail accounts and dial-up e-mail facilities.
In a major drive by the administration to provide Internet facilities to all the high schools in Lakshadweep, NIC installed DirecPC VSAT’s in all the high schools in Lakshadweep in 1998.
Central Projects
In addition to the implementation of central projects such as All India Educational Survey, Agricultural Census, AGMARK Project, Election Data Transmission, Budget Data Transmission, NIC Lakshadweep is providing a wide array of ICT services to Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Marine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Web Services
A website ( http://lakshadweep.nic.in ) containing detailed information on Lakshadweep and aspects such as its profile, Tourism, Administration, Government departments has been launched on the Internet . It also hosts the complete telephone and e-mail directory of the UT administration, besides a visually appealing photo gallery. An interesting feature is the detailed information including fares of ship/helicopter in the islands for the benefit of the visitors.
Centre for E-Governance
In order to strengthen the e-governance activities in the islands a ‘centre for E-governance’ has been set up by NIC at Kavaratti. A full-fledged training center is also attached with the center. The center provides regular training programmes to government officials besides organizing workshops, seminars etc. Internet browsing facilities for the government departments/officials are also made available in this center.
Undoubtedly, NIC Lakshadweep U T unit has played an important role to inculcate IT culture in these remote islands scattered in the Arabian sea.
In the words of the Lakshadweep Administrator Sri.K.S. Mehra “ …..NIC has promoted IT culture in Government departments and developed various software for the departments for decision making at various levels……….The services of NIC are helping the people of Lakshadweep in sharing the benefits of the information revolution of the present times”