SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir IT Department has cancelled 661 Common Service Centre (CSC) licenses over the past year due to overcharging, following a series of surprise inspections conducted across the region. Acting on directives from Minister for Information Technology, Satish Sharma, the department has launched a crackdown on CSCs engaged in overcharging, with a particular focus on ensuring that rates set by the government are strictly adhered to, an official spokesman said.
The inspections carried out under the supervision of Aijaz Qaiser, Additional Secretary of the IT Department, targeted CSCs in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division, and Baramulla and Kupwara in Kashmir division. A total of 15 CSCs in Rajouri, 16 in Poonch, 55 in Baramulla, and 50 in Kupwara were inspected to verify compliance with government-notified service charges.
In line with the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and fairness, the IT Department has issued clear guidelines on service rates, including Rs 50 per service for government-to-citizen services and Rs 75 for government-to-business services. The department is also enforcing a strict regulatory framework, with regular audits and inspections by Divisional Level Inspection teams. This initiative aims to protect the public from exploitation and ensure that services are provided at established rates.
The government has made significant strides in expanding access to digital services by setting up new CSC touchpoints in various government offices, including those of Deputy Commissioners, Block Development Officers, Tehsil offices, and universities. As of now, 664 new CSC touchpoints have been established, bringing the total number of active CSCs in the region to 17,878.
Further measures have been taken to ensure that the notified rates are prominently displayed at each CSC. Additionally, the Vice President of CSC-SPV J&K has been directed to ensure that all Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) are made aware of these rates and that a proper mechanism is in place to guarantee that the public can access online services smoothly. In response to complaints of overcharging, the department has cancelled 627 licenses in the financial year 2023-24 and an additional 53 in the current financial year. The department’s actions aim to promote the goal of Digital India and deliver seamless online services to the public while holding CSCs accountable.
