eGram Vishwagram Project
The eGram Vishwagram Project is a significant initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and providing essential services to rural citizens through the establishment of eGram centers in Village Panchayats across India. This project leverages advanced technology to deliver various government and business-to-consumer (B2C) services effectively.
Project Infrastructure Setup
eGram Centers
eGram centers are established in Village Panchayats and serve as the focal point for delivering e-services to rural communities. Each center is equipped with the following infrastructure:
- VSAT Broadband Connected PCs: Ensuring reliable internet connectivity.
- Peripheral Devices: Scanner, printer, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), web camera, and VoIP phone.
- Village Computer Entrepreneur (VCE): Operates on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to manage the eGram centers and deliver services.
Approximately 14,004 eGram centers have been established, significantly enhancing the accessibility of digital services in rural areas.
PAWAN Network
The eGram Broadband VSAT connectivity network, known as the PAWAN Network, is recognized as Asia’s largest public domain VSAT network. Key attributes of this network include:
- Data: Supports 2500 concurrent users with bandwidth of 16 Kbps burstable up to 256 Kbps per site, totaling 72 Mbps.
- VoIP: Accommodates 50 (25 duplex) users per node with 16 Kbps burstable up to 64 Kbps, totaling 2 Mbps.
- Video Conference: Provides 18 duplex channels (36 users) per node with 512 Kbps, totaling 19 Mbps.
- Video Broadcast Channel: Offers 1 channel with 3 Mbps.
Project Technical Support Team
A dedicated Technical Support and Training Service Provider Team (TSTSP) is deployed at the Taluka, District, and State levels. Their core responsibilities include:
- Hardware and Software Support: Ensuring the smooth operation of all technological components.
- Capacity Building: Training Village Computer Entrepreneurs to effectively deliver services and manage eGram centers.
Services Enabled in Project
The eGram Vishwagram Project offers a wide range of e-services categorized into Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) services.
Offered G2C Services
The G2C services include:
- Birth & Death Certificates: Issuance of vital records.
- Caste & Income Certificates: Verification and issuance.
- Tax Collection Receipts: Payment processing.
- Land Right Records Services (RoR-7/12 & 8A): Access to land records.
- Application Forms: For various development schemes, including ITI applications.
- Data Entry Work: For government departments such as Health, Sports, Gram Sabha, and Vanbandhu.
- Electricity Bill Collection: Payment services.
- E Ration Card Coupon: Distribution.
- iKisan: Farmer registration service.
- GSPC Bill Collection: Payment processing.
- Video Conferencing: Daily interactions with district officials.
- Free VoIP Telephony: Available for rural citizens from eGram centers.
B2C Services
The B2C services include:
- e-Ticketing: For railways, airlines, and buses.
- Utility Bill Payments: For telephone, mobile, DTH, etc.
- Desktop Publishing (DTP) Work: Design and printing services.
- Financial Services: Various banking and financial services.
- Entrepreneurship Skills: Training and support to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities.
The eGram Vishwagram Project is a transformative initiative that significantly enhances the delivery of essential services to rural citizens, promoting digital inclusion and improving the quality of life in rural areas.