In an effort to digitize the state's population database, the Haryana government launched the Parivar Pahchanputra (PPP) program, which tracked the date of birth, caste, income, and even marital status of about 2.85 crore people. Confirmed by Sh.V. OmashankarIAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Govt., Haryana Citizen Resource Information Department (CRID)In an exclusive interview with Priya Yadav, Associate Editor of Elites News Network (ENN), discusses the changing digital landscape of Haryana.
SHV Omashankar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Haryana Citizen Resource Information Department (CRID)
Your team has spearheaded much of the digital transformation in Haryana under the guidance of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was known to be tech savvy. Can you tell us about some important changes, like the online transfer policy for employees?
Online transfer policy for employees was one of the first digital transformations we initiated. It was introduced around the Financial Year (FY) 2017-18 and rolled out across departments with over 80 employees. This system works on the basis of fixed norms and preferences for posting of employees.
The next major change was in the agricultural sector. We have developed a digital farm registration and procurement platform that includes direct benefit transfer (DBT) to farmers. We started it in FY 2018-19, but it was fully implemented during the COVID-19 period. Now, 65 to 67 lakh acres of land is registered, and we have managed payments of around ₹1.3 lakh crore in the last five years.
The entire system from development to management was in-house without external vendors. Farmers register their land before each crop season. A verification process that includes satellite imagery ensures that the correct crop is registered.
Considering the diverse background of farmers, especially in terms of education level and technology familiarity, how did you overcome any initial resistance or hesitation in adopting this digital platform? What strategies or incentives have you implemented to ease their transition to this digital process?
As with any new system, there is a certain level of initial hesitation. It was the same here in 2019. To address this, we took a policy decision: for crops like barley and mustard, which are not normally procured under the minimum support price (MSP), we proposed that procurement should be done only if I will be when farmers register on the platform. This encouraged early adopters.
Then, a lockdown was announced during the shopping season. Along with social distancing requirements, the digital platform allowed us to schedule visits to farmers' 'markets', ensuring only a limited number of farmers were present at any given time. COVID-19 was the key catalyst in bringing farmers to the online platform.
Can you explain how the payment process is managed in this new system? Specifically, how does the transition from a traditional payment model to a direct payment system work?
Initially, payments were made to the agents, who then paid the farmers, but in 2021, we changed the direct payment method whereby the money was transferred directly to the farmers' accounts. This change was really well received, and most of the farmers are now satisfied with the system. It took the state government about two to three years to consolidate the process.
Apart from agrarian reforms, what other important digital initiatives has the state government launched in various sectors? Can you highlight specific programs or platforms that were impacted by the change?
In 2017, we launched a unified platform for social welfare schemes where people could apply for benefits. Another major initiative is the Parivar Pahchanputra (PPP) programme, which has become quite stable after three to four years of implementation. PPP is a complex initiative, which validates data from large populations. We have verified date of birth, caste, income and even marital status of around 2.85 crore people. Haryana residents can now print their certificates online without going to any office. It's a complex process, but most of the groundwork is now done, and we're seeing benefits in terms of data usage across departments.
Has the digitization effort extended its impact to other sectors such as education? Can you elaborate on specific digital initiatives being introduced in the education sector, particularly how technology is being leveraged to enhance student learning outcomes?
In 2023, our initiative included the distribution of tablets equipped with digital content and assessments to students in grades 9 to 12. The initiative aims to enhance the learning experience by integrating technology into education, giving students easy access to a wide range of digital resources and interactive. Assessments
The program's rollout has faced some challenges, primarily related to equipment management—such as ensuring that they are properly maintained, safely, and effectively used by students. Despite these issues, the overall outcome has been positive. Tablet integration has largely achieved its goals, and we have received encouraging feedback from both students and teachers, indicating that digital tools contribute to a more engaging and effective learning environment. have been Hence, our efforts have set a benchmark in the field by demonstrating leadership in the adoption of educational technology.
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