Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 10 July 2024
In a significant step towards enhancing digital connectivity in the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chief Secretary Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, virtually inaugurated an e-Corner at Nancowrie Tehsil. The event, held on July 9, 2024, marked a milestone in the implementation of online services for the local residents. The virtual inauguration was also attended by Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Nicobars.
The event saw the presence of several key officials, including Mr. Ravindra Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Nancowrie, Mrs. Aysha Majeed, Chairman of the Tribal Council of Kamorta, and heads of various line departments.
Deputy Commissioner Ms. Jyoti Kumari highlighted that two e-Corners have already been established in the Nicobar District’s sub-divisions of Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay. The newly established e-Corner at Nancowrie Tehsil Office is aimed at bridging the digital divide and providing seamless access to a variety of online services for the island’s residents. This initiative is a part of the District Administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance citizen engagement, transparency, and accountability in governance.
Ms. Kumari also addressed the current challenges faced by the District Administration in implementing online services in the isolated islands. She announced plans to establish three more e-Corners in Katchal, Chowra, and Teressa Island. This move aims to achieve 100% digital coverage under the ‘Digital India’ initiative and to fulfill the commitment of providing services at the doorstep of all citizens in the Nicobar District’s remote areas.
The e-Corner will enable residents to access various online services transparently and efficiently through a single window system. Additionally, a Common Service Center (CSC) has been provided with the necessary credentials to assist citizens in accessing these services. With the inauguration of the e-Corner, all manual services in Nancowrie Tehsil have been transitioned to an online mode.
During the inaugural function, Assistant Commissioner Mr. Ravindra Kumar issued digitalized income certificates to the public. He emphasized the District Administration’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen has to travel to the headquarters or other islands to obtain services.
Mr. Kumar encouraged the general public to make use of the free and fair online services available at the e-Corner, CSC, and directly through the website: www.edistrict.andaman.gov.in.