(a) whether the Government have prepared a scheme for setting up of computer information centres in all the 447 blocks in the seven North Eastern States and 40 blocks in Sikkims;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the timeframe for its implementation; and
(c) the present status thereof and steps taken in pursuance thereof so far?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a),(b) & (c): The Ministry of Information Technology is implementing a scheme for setting up Community Information Centres (CICs) at all the block headquarters in the North East States & Sikkim. The Scheme envisages providing Internet Connectivity through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) link with, one server with five clients printer, at each CIC. The Central Government is meeting the expenditure on this project including expenditure on operations and manpower for the first five years. The Project is to be implemented by March 2002. A pilot project for setting up 30 such centres has been implemented through National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI). The funds earmarked for improvement of IT network in NER are to be utilised for completing the project.