CM speech on Mobile Governance Hon’ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka Shri Vaju Bhai Ruda Bhai Vala, Dignitaries and Respected citizens of Karnataka, 1.It’s my pleasure and privilege to be present at this momentous occasion of the Launch of Mobile Governance in Karnataka, first of its kind in the country. 2.This is one of the most precious moments of my life.With the launch of Mobile Governance, I am overwhelmed by the fact that we can now be close to our citizens in the State,in a unique and unparalleled manner. 3.We are the first Indian State to launch Mobile Governance,Karnataka Mobile One – and this is a great tribute to our State’s intellectual capital, and administrative creativity in making the best use of technology to improve the lives and standards of our citizens. 4.We take pride in saying that we have a 100 year legacy of industrialization. Our economic development has always been inspired by the clarion call – Industrialize or perish – given by Sir M Visvesvaraya, one of India’s greatest engineers and more importantly, an illustrious son of Karnataka. 5.This legacy has continued and today Karnataka is a leader in Information Technology, a leader not just in India,not just in Asia, but in the whole World. 6.The World calls us the Silicon Valley of Asia. Our prowess in space research and aeronautics is globally acknowledged. Our talent pool is the most desired workforce across businesses. 7.Karnataka is, again, the first Indian State to bring out an investor-friendly i-4 (Information Technology, Information Technology-enabled Services, Innovation and Incentives) Policy, along with many other policies, which makes us a preferred hotspot for investments. 8.Today, it is our pride that we have consolidated this legacy with Mobile Governance for all the innovation in the World, all the technology in the World, is of no value if it cannot better the lives of our citizenry. 9.It was important that we push the frontiers of our leadership position in Information Technology and work towards leveraging this strength to deliver better services to the citizens.Today, I stand before you, proud and contended that our Government has done so. 10.Even as Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke about Mobile Governance, we have responded by making it a reality. Karnataka will be the flag bearer for Digital India. 11.Digital India commences from Bengaluru, and it is our hope that, it will be emulated in other States too. 12.Mobile-Governance to me is not only about leveraging technology, but also about being “Mindful” – being responsible.I translate this as “Mindful Governance” that makes each and every one of us in the Government take ownership of what we promise to deliver to our citizens. 13.Most people believe that such technology is the prerogative of the “privileged” and the “Urban”citizens. 14.But, it is our pride that we have been able to integrate applications that are pro-farmers and helpful to the rural citizens. By this, we have bridged the “technology divide” there by offering the same quality of services to every citizen of Karnataka. 15.Applications such as Nano Ganesh, Buffalo Grid and also the Remote ICU have been devised with an understanding of the needs of the rural population. 16.With such features at their fingertips, our rural citizens will experience a qualitative difference in their lives and the lives of the farmers will improve dramatically. 17.A large number of private sector providers have partnered in this effort. They are responsible for the nature and quality of services provided by them. 18.We are providing access to a vast array of private services and this will be a big benefit to the public. We welcome feedback from the public on any modifications in usage of the services. We will also be monitoring the evolution of scheme, with a view to bring about improvements. 19.As has been the case with many IT initiatives in the past, Karnataka continues to be a State of many firsts. Karnataka is the first State in the country to enable citizens make income tax payments and refund status checking, through mobile phones. 20.Karnataka is also the first State to develop a mobile application approved by the Apple Store. Karnataka is the first State to have a mobile app that is accessible all India,all tele cos, all circles. You can call us from ANYWHERE in India on the unique 3-digit number 161 and get our app from 1-800-425-425-425. 21.We have some other unique apps such as i-Care that brings citizens closer to Government in resolving civic issues.And M-Power. I promised you, we will take steps to make women feel safer, and M-Power is one step in that direction. It will send alerts with location tags such that women can use it in the event of any unforeseen emergency. 22.Our intent is to develop new modern ways of citizens engaging with Government to solve pressing problems.This is as much your Government as is mine, and I want every single citizen to engage with us using Karnataka Mobile One. 23.This apart you can pay your property tax bills,utility bills and buy bus tickets, railway tickets and check your passport status through Mobile One. For farmers we will be sending alerts on the weather and various agricultural extension services, for them to take advantage of it in Kannada. 24.More services are in the offing on Mobile One. Soon Metro Rail users will be able to pay for their ride from their phone itself and once the legal formalities are completed by the judiciary, we can even consider filing FIRs from the comfort of your home or office. Today, presence of the citizen is required in person to sign documents, in front of a police officer.An auction system for our agricultural market places will also be introduced on the Mobile One in the future and we can connect our farmers and artisans with other larger markets in India for their produce to get better prices. 25.There is no reason why more and more Government of Karnataka and Government of India services cannot be offered through Mobile One. We will seek more national services to be put on the platform, which will be of value to citizens of Karnataka. 26.There is another reason why this was designed as a platform and not as a Conventional Government System and that is to tap into the ideas of our youth. Karnataka’s youth power in India’s IT and Knowledge Industries is well known and we are the unquestioned Start Up Capital of India.We want to offer this platform to the young minds, who can come up with newer and innovative solutions for civic problems, which can make our State, indeed our country,a better place to live in. 27.As I have said earlier, this “Mindful Governance” brings in a new era of collective commitment, hard work and single-minded focus towards consolidating Karnataka’s leadership. Through this, we will demonstrate an efficient and responsible administration to our citizens, by being close to them at all times. 28.As Mother Teresa has said, Do small things with great love, we are today dedicating Governance at your fingertips to the citizens of the State and paving the direction for an easy and a happy way of life in Karnataka. Jai Hind ! Jai Karnataka !! karnatakavarthe.org/cm-speech-on-mobile-governance/
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:08:57 +0000
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