Dehradun, 25 Oct 2006

Leading Singapore-based IT solutions provider CrimsonLogic will design, develop and implement a Citizen Data Vault for Uttaranchal.
 
It would also develop a state-wide Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the secure delivery of e-government services to Uttaranchal’s eight million people and its businesses, a monthly magazine of the state government reported.
 
This is being considered the largest IT project in Uttaranchal. The project comprises three components: a state-wide survey of Uttaranchal’s citizens through a Multipurpose Household Survey (MHS); establishment of the citizen data vault; and the distribution of PKI-enabled smart cards to the citizens for e-government services access online or via public kiosks.
 
The first phase of the MHS is already under way in two Nagar Palikas (small town municipal corporations), Rishikesh and Almora. The survey involves the recording of information like addresses, biometric data such as photographs and fingerprints. The information is uploaded onto the citizen data vault.
 
The Citizen Data Vault will serve as Uttaranchal’s data hub and store data of the local population. When implemented, the Citizen Data Vault is expected to reduce service processing and delivery time from months to a matter of days, say officials.
 
Electronic processing would significantly cut down paperwork and bureaucratic procedures, they added.
 
The final stage involves the issuance of PKI-enabled smart cards to a group of citizens to access government services either online or via public kiosks.
 
In time, the usability of these smart cards can be extended to all state application for tasks such as permits, tax payments and job registration. The project is expected to be completed by the next year.

News Source: http://www.business-standard.com

Dehradun, 23 Oct 2006

The Gangotri shrine dedicated to goddess Ganga in the snow-capped Garhwal Himalayas was closed for the winter season amidst vedic rituals on Monday.

Situated at a height of 3200 metres, Gangotri is the first major shrine which was closed for the winter season.

While Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines will be closed on Tuesday, Badrinath would be closed for visitors on November 16. These four shrines are also collectively known as the ‘Chardham’.

With a white sheet of snow enveloping the hills surrounding the Gangotri temple, the priest of the shrine recited vedic hymns and blew conches to signal the closure of the temple. The shrine will now remain close for the next six months.

After the closing ceremony, the idol of goddess Ganga was taken out in a palanquin for bringing it to Mukhba in the Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal where the idol would be kept during the winter season.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Press Trust of India
Dehradun, 12 Oct 2006

The Uttaranchal Assembly on Thursday passed a bill approving the change of name of the state to Uttarakhand amid protests by BJP.

The Uttaranchal (alteration of name) Bill 2006 was passed by voice vote even as BJP members accused the government of trying to hide its ‘failure’ under the garb of change of name process.

Later BJP member staged a walkout in the House.

BSP members were also not present during the discussion.

The Assembly’s seal of approval came more than a month after the state cabinet had endorsed the change of name.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Indira Hridayesh said there was a long standing demand from the people to change the name of Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand.

The name Uttarakhand is synonymous with the statehood agitation, which is a highly emotive issue in the state, Hridayesh said, adding this is the true tribute to the statehood activists who laid their lives for the cause.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com