2. INTRODUCTION
Intranet based G2C service
Dhar District of MP in JAN 2000
cost effective , replicable
economically self reliant and financially viable
taking the benifits of ICT to the rural masses.
Project involved setting up of low cost self sustainable
community owned rural intranet terminals known as
“Soochanalaya”.
3. Application
• In 2000, a chain of computer kiosks set up
• to help provide better access to people about government information
and services in Dhar District.
• 20 kiosks ("soochanalayas") were set up in rural centres
• Each kiosk SERVING 20,000-30,000 villagers
• 18 kiosks were added later
• Operated by a trained operator
• nominal service charge
4. OBJECTIVES
• Ensure equal access to emerging technology- for marginalized
• Create a cost effective , replicable, economically self reliant and financially
viable ICT model FOR rural masses.
• grass-roots entrepreneurial model
• participation of non traditional entrepreneurs
• Provide self employment through to local youth
• Improve the quality, speed and sensitivity of the state delivery apparatus
towards the needs of local customers/citizens.
• Search for potential of rural markets in digital domain.
5. SOOCHANALAYAS
Soochanalayas are 21 client sites / nodes working as rural cybercafe-
cum-cyberoffices.
Each Soochanalaya provides services to about 15 Gram Panchayats, 25
to 30 villages, 20,000 to 30,000 population.
The intranet covered 5 out of 13 Blocks in the district and 3 out of 7
Tahsils in the district in the initial phase. The Soochanalayas are located
on the roadside and are central villages where people normally travel.
Soochanalayas have telephone.
6. WORKING
• The gram pamchayat or janpad panchayat has provided the physical space, invested in hardware and
other infrastructure, which is then operated by a trained person called the soochak.
• A local enterpreneur who has applied an got registered as a soochanalaya owner, and made all the
investments such soochaks are expected to pay Rs. 5000 to gyaandoot samiti every year. This is
known as the the enterpreneurial model.
7. SERVICES OFFERED
• Mandi Prices
• Income certificate
• Domicile certificate
• Caste certificate
• Land holder’s passbook
• Rural Hindi mail
• Grievance Redressal
• Forms of Government Schemes
• Employment news
• Advisory module
• Driving License
• Khasra Nakal Avedan
• Board Exam Results
8. Transparency and the Poor
• Made specific effort at trying to assist disadvantaged groups.
• This is seen in the choice of location in the identity of users
targetted by information and service design; and in the identity of
the kiosk operators.
• In part, some of its identified problems derive from - and can
arguably be offset against - its attempt to reach out to the poor.
9. CURRENT STATUS OF GYAANDOOT
The district and Block levels may communicate through e-mail
amongst themselves.
Through Soochanalayas, a Management Information System relating
to health, education and Gram Panchayats is also being introduced in
Dhar block.
The 21 Soochanalayas have been equipped with Pentium multimedia
colour computer along with dot matrix printers.
Aside from the software which has been designed for the intranet
and the internet, new updated pre-manufactured software are also in
use.
10. EXPANSION OF THE PROJECT
• Some fundamental guidelines were framed for future
expansion.
• Centers to be opened only in the villages where local
telephone exchange is near and fair connectivity,
• New centers to be created through private investment.
• New services and facilities to be introduced in phased manner.
11. PROBLEMS/WEAKNESS
• Unresolved Grievances
• Update of mandi prices not timely
• Lack of English language skills
• Neglect of service delivery due to hyped publicity
• Delay in service delivery
• Perceived backlash from officials
• Inefficiencies in service delivery
• New requirement of travel to Janpad Panchayat
• Soochanalay is too far.
12. SUCCESS
• Fully succeeded in
generating awareness.
• Youth are excited about the
new employment
opportunities arising out of
ICT.
• Government officials feel
that Gyandoot has improved
their accountability
• The revenue generated is
grossly inadequate to
breakeven
13. AWARDS
• CSI-TCS National IT award for the best IT usage,
instituted by the Computer Society of India for the
year 2000.
• STOCKHOLM CHALLENGE AWARD 2000
• Sir Ratan Tata Trust Healthy Child Competition
granted finance for children education.
14. Conclusion
Gyandoot has fully succeeded in generating awareness.
It has provided potential of rural markets in digital domain.
Faster response from government machinery.
Transparency in access mechanism -
Anytime, Anywhere, Anybody.
