Govt mulls integration of 200 state services into one app

Kolkata: The Bengal government is trying to develop a single mobile app platform, integrating over 200 services of the state government. The task of developing the app will be supervised by the state Department of Information Technology & Electronics. Ernst & Young has already started work for developing the mobile app platform.

"We will start with integration of 50 services offered by the state government and gradually proceed towards our target of over 200 such services. We hope to launch this app with 50 services in this ongoing financial year," a senior official of state IT&E department said, on the sidelines of a Knowledge Workshop on Mobile Governance & Mobile Manufacturing at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre on Thursday.

"There are as many as 100 services available under the e-district programme of the state government. But it is not integrated in the manner it should be. Services like birth certificates, land records and many other essential services that the Bengal government is offering will come under this app," said Ramesh Mishra, Director Advisory Services, Ernst & Young.

Mishra said that the company is developing a similar app titled E-Pragati in Andhra Pradesh.

The state IT department has already began interacting with the other state departments to have a concise idea of the services that they offer. However, the participation of the state departments in the app will be voluntary.

"We have Tathya Mitra Kendras in different parts of the state, where people can seek information about the various services offered by the government. But through this integrated app, people can access the information at the touch of a button," the IT department official added.

The official reiterated that this app will be similar but much better than the Umang app of the Central government, as the security features in this app will be foolproof. "Data privacy is of utmost importance and all measures will be taken in this regard," the official said.

It may be mentioned that some other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana have already integrated or started integrating their government services into a single platform.