SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has secured the second across India, having expanded its online service offerings to a total of 913.
Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, made this announcement on Wednesday, highlighting the significant achievement in bolstering the state’s digital infrastructure.
Dr Mehta stated, “This marks a crucial milestone aligned with our commitment to provide easy, convenient, and accessible services to our citizens. With 913 online services, Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed Kerala, which offers 911 services online, securing the second position in the country, just behind Madhya Pradesh.”
The surge in online services is attributed to the ‘Digital J&K Programme,’ which was launched as a mission-critical initiative last year. The program has seen remarkable growth, with the number of online services going from 35 in 2021 to the current count of 913.
The Chief Secretary commended the collaborative efforts of the IT Department and NIC in bolstering online services across various departments. He emphasized the importance of identifying more citizen-centric services, especially in the realms of healthcare, education, and ‘Nasha Mukt J&K,’ to further expand online accessibility to a wider demographic.
Dr Mehta stressed the necessity of robust citizen feedback assessment and continuous monitoring of service quality. He directed the launch of an extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to inform the public about these digital initiatives and encourage greater utilization of online services.
The integration of technology has ushered in a new era of digital governance in Jammu and Kashmir, with services available 24/7 through a unified portal and the ‘mobile dost’ app. Notably, these services are linked to the Rapid Assessment System (RAS) for gathering citizen feedback, with over 52 lakh SMSs sent to date, boasting an impressive 86 percent approval rating.
Additionally, 300 online services are now integrated with the Auto Appeal system, ensuring that appeals are escalated to the appropriate authorities if services are not provided within defined timelines under PSGA (Public Service Guarantee Act). These measures have significantly enhanced transparency and accountability within government departments while bringing administration closer to the people in the Union Territory.
