INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE

DEMAND NO.31

2010-2011

Dr. Poongothai
Minister for Information Technology

(c)
Government of Tamil Nadu
2010
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
1.10 Information Technology Department 17-18
POLICY NOTE - 2010-2011
as a Facilitator Department
DEMAND NO : 31
II ELECTRONICS CORPORATION OF 19-20
INDEX
TAMIL NADU(ELCOT)

Chapter Contents Page 2.1 IT Promotion 20-21

No
Prominent projects implemented by 22-34
2.2
I INTRODUCTION 1-3 ELCOT

1.1 Information Technology being 3-4 TAMIL NADU e-GOVERNANCE 35-37

III
Demand Driven AGENCY

1.2 Building Knowledge Base in 4 3.1 Common Service Centres 37-39

Information Technology
3.2 E - District project 39-41
1.3 IT infrastructure in Government 4-5
3.3 Enhancing E-Services in Tamil 41-64
1.4 Private Public Partnership in I.T 5-7 Nadu

1.5 E-Waste 7-10 IV 65

4.1 State Portal, State Service Delivery
1.6 E-Governance Policy 10-13
Gateway And E-Forms
1.7 M-Governance 13
4.2 Capacity Building Programme 65-66
1.8 Welfare Board for Cable TV Operators 14-15
4.3 ICT Academy 66-69
1.9 Rural Business Process 15-16
4.4 IT Finishing School 69-70
Outsourcing(BPO)
 4.5 Society For Electronic Transactions 70-72 Conversion from TAB/TAM into 80
6.7
And Security (SETS) Unicode

4.6 Indian Institute Of Information 72-73 VII IT PARKS IN TAMIL NADU 81

Technology, Design And
Manufacturing (IIITD & M), 7.1 Sholinganallur IT/ITES SEZ 81-82
Kancheepuram
7.2 Coimbatore IT/ITES SEZ 82
V ARASU CABLE TV CORPORATION 74-75
7.3 Madurai IT /ITES SEZ 82-83
LIMITED
7.4 Tirunelveli IT/ITES SEZ 83
VI International Academy for Internet 76-77
Tamil (formerly Tamil Virtual 7.5 Tiruchy IT/ITES SEZ 83-84
University)
7.6 Salem IT/ITES SEZ 84
6.1 Thirukkural in Cell phones 78
7.7 Hosur IT/ITES SEZ 84
6.2 Tamil Text corpus Analysis 78
NEW SCHEMES FOR THE YEAR 85-89
International Academy for Internet 78 VIII
6.3 2010-2011
Tamil Building under construction

6.4 Palm leaf in Internet 79

6.5 Publication of Technical Glossary 79

Committee constituted to declare 79

6.6 Unicode as current standard of Tamil
Encoding
 multifaceted industry providing employment opportunities,
CHAPTER – I not only for the Engineering and Science students but also
for the students of all other streams. As all sectors are
INTRODUCTION coming under the influence of the Information Technology,
massive employment opportunities have been generated
The Agricultural revolution and the Industrial by virtue of the fact that a student with a specialization and
revolution have brought many benefits to mankind. Yet adequate knowledge of information technology is bound to
another revolution was instrumental in turning the world be in demand. The broad basing of the information
into a Global village and this revolution has often been technology sector has led to the growth of this sector in
referred to as the Information Technology revolution. It is the state.
the Information Technology revolution that has enabled Tamil Nadu has contributed significantly for the
India to leapfrog from a backward nation to a nation that is growth of the Indian Economy through software exports.
now recognised as a growing economic power. In Tamil Tamil Nadu has been amongst the top three states in
Nadu, under the dynamic leadership and the pioneering terms of ICT investments and production. It has emerged
vision of our Hon’ble Chief Minister, the seeds were sown as a hub for software, hardware and R&D. The number of
for growth of Information Technology in the year 1997 by Indian and Multinational organizations having presence in
way of formulating the first Information Technology Policy. Tamil Nadu is a testimony to this. ICT Production in Tamil
Various concessions were announced for attracting the IT Nadu touched a high of Rs.36,680.40 Crores in 2008-09.
majors to invest in this state. Due to the continual efforts of Tamil Nadu's success in the software industry is due to
the policy makers and the state administrators, Tamil the availability of a large pool of educated work force and
Nadu has begun to reap the benefits of the Information the progressive policies of the Tamil Nadu State
Technology. Information Technology has evolved as a Government. This Government is determined to pass on

1 2
the benefits accrued from Information Technology to every employs the people with Information Technology as their
part of the state. It is in this context that the State main subject of study but also professionals in all other
Administration has been actively promoting the fields which could also be non technical in nature. It has
establishment of Information Technology Parks at also paved way for the rise of thousands of new
Chennai and Tier II cities viz., Coimbatore, Madurai, employment opportunities in emerging fields with the
Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Salem and Hosur. The State has advent of new developments in the IT field.
also focused its attention on improving the infrastructural
1.2 Building Knowledge Base in Information
facilities so as to attract more investments.
Technology
1.1 Information Technology being Demand Driven As a first step towards building the knowledge base
Information Technology has become vital to the in Information Technology the Hon’ble Chief Minister
development and progress of all fields. Earlier there was introduced computer education in the school curriculum
need for a special drive to ‘computerise’ activities which during 1999-2000. Computer education has also been
has given place to a massive push within each department introduced in arts and science colleges, Law Colleges and
to move to e-governance efforts. Medical Colleges. Computer Training Centers have now
been inaugurated in all Districts. These Training Centers
The influence of the Information Technology has
have full-fledged training infrastructure. Departments
been felt in all departments ranging from Education,
ranging from cooperatives, commercial taxes etc have
Cooperative Banking, Finance, Commercial Taxes, Social
already undergone intensive training.
Welfare, Disbursement of Scholarships, Police, Rural
development Municipal Administration etc. The sectors
1.3 IT infrastructure in Government
that have embraced Information Technology are reaping
The Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network is a
the benefits of IT. As such the IT industry not only
communication infrastructure which connects Chennai

3 4
with District Headquarters, RDO offices, Taluk To improve the quality of teaching faculty and
Headquarters and Block Headquarters. This entire thereby ensuring that students passing out of institutes
Information highway is being maintained by multiple and colleges in Tamil Nadu and to make them industry
agencies under the supervision of the IT Department. A ready and immediately employable in the ICT industry
Data Centre has been commissioned for hosting all particularly in the ICT services and the ICT Manufacturing
e-Governance applications at a cost of Rs.9.44 crores sectors,the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu has been
established under the Societies Registration Act, 1975.
1.4 Private Public Partnership in I.T
The Information Technology Industry has been
For the successful implementation of IT projects,
facing a severe shortage of quality manpower. The Tier II
Private Public Partnership is of prime importance. The ICT
Cities of Tamil Nadu offer great potential in the area of IT
Academy of Tamil Nadu is a unique effort that combines
manpower. In order to project the manpower potential of
the involvement of the Government of India, Government
the Tier II cities and also to induce confidence among the
of Tamil Nadu and Industry represented by the
student community, an event titled "Empower IT" is
Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII). While the
conducted every year. The aim of “Empower IT”
Industry represented by major IT corporate take a
Campaign is to bring together final year college students
prominent role in administering the ICT Academy,
and IT Companies. This event is to create awareness and
providing the curriculum content, ensure inflow of the
sense of competitiveness among the college students in
latest teaching methodologies and anchor the program,
the districts and to showcase the talent pool and human
the Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of India
resources in this region to IT investors. CEOs of various IT
provide financial and other inputs to support the industry
companies from all over the country interact with the
effort.
college students who participate in the above event.

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ELCOT on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu computer accessories, electronic components, industrial
organizes this effort in association with NASSCOM. electronics, automobile electronic devices etc.
Technological advancement and increased usage of
The Government of Tamil Nadu is firmly committed Telecom, IT, Electronic digital equipments and leisure/toy
to spread the IT revolution to other parts of Tamil Nadu. IT gizmos have created an alarming situation of increased
parks are being built at the Tier II cities such as stream of electronic waste (e-waste) globally known as
Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Salem Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). In a
and Hosur. These IT parks will create employment digitized information technology world, the use of
opportunities to qualified rural youth. computers, cell phones, consumer electronic appliances
Business in Information Technology Services is a and the like have reached enormous proportions, and
new chapter in ITES, where the Business Process have become an integral part of routine lifestyle. The high
Outsourcing work is done by educated rural youth. It will rate of obsolescence of these modern equipments and the
pave the way for promotion of more Rural Business in fast changing technology gives rise to replacement of the
Information Technology Services in Tamil Nadu. The products, thereby increasing e-waste. Developing
Department of Information Technology through ELCOT countries including India also face the threat of the
works actively to promote more businesses in such “replacement market” of developed countries by way of
Information Technology Services in rural areas in all transboundary shipments of used electronic goods and
districts of Tamil Nadu. items. The main reason why e-waste has become a global
1.5 E-Waste concern is the presence of toxic and hazardous
substances in these equipments such as Lead, Cadmium,
E-waste encompasses the ever growing range of
Mercury, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium and Brominated
obsolete electronic devices, telecommunication devices,
Flame-Retardants (BFR). In the absence of an effective

7 8
method for collection of e-waste and managing the Management (ESM) of e-waste is in place. As and when
hazardous constituents, it is likely to be disposed off in the National Policy or regulations on e-waste is
land-fills resulting in high environmental risk and health introduced, the policy of the State shall be aligned to
hazards to human beings and animals or end up at the accommodate changes if required.
backyard units which recycle such wastes using highly
1.6 E-Governance Policy
polluting technologies.
The convergence of Information and
The disposal of e-waste containing such hazardous
Communication Technology (ICT) in the recent years has
substances in an environmentally sound manner has
presented an opportunity for the Government to change
become a challenge in India and at the global level. Many
the way the Government integrates, leverages and values
countries have initiated steps for collection and safe
its information assets. With ease of access to information,
disposal of e-waste. In India, the Ministry of Environment
targeted approach to mission delivery, enterprise resource
and Forests (MoEF), Government of India (GOI) has
management and Information Processing and
published “Guidelines for Environmentally Sound
dissemination – all of these can be raised to higher levels
Management of E-waste” in March 2008. The guidelines
which in the past had a limited scope. Governments
are optional and not mandatory and a proposal for
across the globe have realized that mere computerization
regulating e-waste through a set of rules that would
alone will not realize the desired level of better
govern the management of e-waste in an environmentally
Governance, as e-Governance includes People
sound manner is under consideration at the GOI level.
(Government staff and citizen), Process (Government
Chennai being a major ICT Hub and with the ICT
Process Re-engineering) and Technologies (IT) which are
industry now expanding to Tier II, Tier III cities and Towns
all encompassing and hence the need for a separate e-
and indeed into villages in Tamil Nadu, it is imperative that
Governance Policy.
a comprehensive policy for Environmentally Sound

9 10
 In many instances, Government departments might population. This will help the departments in micro level
have come across shortage of resources in one analysis and informed decision-making.
department and excess of resources in another. This could The service levels are increasing day by day. The
be due to non-availability of proper data and the required service sector has become one of the important
facilities to share available information. Even if contributors for our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and for
Government departments are computerized and the generation of newer employments. Many services,
networked more for the purpose of internet usage and traditionally done by the Government through its own
file/mail transfer, the information available in one channels from its own offices are now demanded on public
department, which possesses the data, could not be channels in multiple media deliveries and more importantly
utilized in other departments. This is because the well beyond the regular working hours of the office. A
information is stored in different formats, in different common man wants services to be enabled online in every
platforms and in different database systems. possible way thereby establishing a channel to interact
By deploying the latest ICT, the Government with the Government. Therefore there is a need for an
departments can maximize access to the required e-Governance Policy to ensure that in the maze of activity
information and also can bid farewell to the massive paper there is consistency in approach. Interoperability,
trail often associated with various Government agencies. upgradeability, security and the like will need to be defined
Rather than providing non-detailed information to so as to prevent repetitive work in the field of application
uninterested constituents, the Government departments development. Therefore, a comprehensive e-Governance
can now direct the right information to the right people at Policy covering a wide range of issues such as technology
the right time. Further, the enterprise-wide information can type, architecture, framework standards, support
be an asset to the Government as well as to the entire infrastructure, software stack at the front-end middleware
and back-ends together with the defined software

11 12
development cycle has been drafted and will be released 1.8 Welfare Board for Cable TV Operators
after due process of approval. The Government constituted the Cable TV Workers’
Welfare Board for the welfare of the unorganized workers

1.7 M-Governance in the Cable TV industry in G.O. Ms.No.1, Information

Mobile-Governance or M-Governance is the use of Technology Department dated 28th March 2008 under the

mobile technology and mobile services as a Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Minister with Official

communication platform to improve the efficiency and and non-Official members. Subsequently, Hon’ble Minister

effectiveness of Governance. This is largely used as a for Information Technology has been appointed as

two-way communication services channel between the Chairman of the Welfare Board in G.O. (Ms.) No.1,

Government and citizens. Benefits of the M-Governance Information Technology Department dated 05.01.2010. In

are projected to reach larger population especially those in the above Government Order, necessary guidelines for

remote areas and justify investments in delivering services providing welfare measures to the workers of the Cable

through mobile technology and tools. The Government of industry were also issued.

Tamil Nadu proposes to leverage this powerful tool and The scheme provides for the distribution of all
make available valuable information to the people as and welfare measures similar to that of other unorganized
when they need it. The mobile platform would extend the Welfare Boards through the Cable TV Workers’ Welfare
reach for Government services to the citizens who do not Board. The Special Deputy Collector (Distribution of free
have access to computers. New applications that are Colour Televisions) in the Districts has been entrusted
being developed for various departments are being with the work of identifying the families of the Cable TV
provided with a mobile interface so that the status of the Workers for the issue of Identity Cards. Those who have
application etc can be accessed as and when required. completed 18 years of age and who have not completed

13 14
60 years of age are eligible for registration in the Welfare exports is projected to grow 13-15 per cent in FY 2010-11,
Board. while in domestic market, the growth would be about 15-
The Government has released a sum of Rs.50 17 per cent. The availability of low cost skilled manpower,
lakhs to the Welfare Board for 2009-10. All registered English speaking population and appropriate infrastructure
members of the Welfare Board are eligible for the benefits have been among the main reasons for the companies
envisaged under “Chief Minister Kalaignar’s Insurance outsourcing their operations to India.
Scheme for Life Saving Treatments” Tamil Nadu has attracted several BPO Units and
this sector forms a significant part of IT Enabled Services
So far, 1522 applications from the cable TV workers
here. Rural BPO is a new chapter in the ITES industry,
hailing from various districts have been received , out of
where the Business Process Outsourcing work is done by
which 552 workers’ applications have been processed and
educated rural youth.
Identity cards have been issued to 390 workers. The
The success of the Krishnagiri District
scrutiny of the remaining applications is under progress.
administration in establishing India’s first rural Business
Action is being taken for the disbursement of various
Process outsourcing unit at Sanasandiram, Chennathur
welfare schemes including Educational Assistance to the
Panchayat, Hosur Block in 2007 has now paved the way
Children of the members.
for promotion of more rural BPOs in Tamil Nadu. The
1.9 Rural Business Process Outsourcing(BPO) Information Technology Department will work actively to
promote rural BPOs in all Districts of Tamil Nadu and a
India is at the forefront of the rapidly evolving specific policy and implementation process for Rural BPOs
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market, having will be defined shortly by the Department to enable ITES
established itself as a “destination of choice. IT-BPO organisations to benefit from a cost advantage situation
industry is expected to record a 5.5 per cent growth in and thereby increase rural employment in the State.
exports to reach 49.7 Billion dollar in FY 2009-10. The
15 16
 degree of convergence is necessary to prevent
1.10 Information Technology Department as a overlapping and wasteful expenditure. Hence, this
Facilitator Department Department would be acting as a Facilitator Department.

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)

formulated by the Government of India for implementation
across the country, envisages the vision of making all
Government services accessible to the common man in
his locality through common service delivery outlets and
ensure efficiency, transparency and reliability of such
services at affordable cost. Currently, the IT Department
is actively involved in over 15 Departments to build IT
applications for delivering citizen centric services
throughout the State. The IT Department is increasingly
being seen as a knowledge Department with an
increasingly complex nature of technology developments
in the world thereby requiring that developments planned
in various departments are not found to be obsolete due to
the arrival of even more advanced technologies.
Further, with all departments involved in citizen
centric services moving towards IT applications to facilitate
their style of functioning, it becomes evident that a good

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 CHAPTER – II project of the Government of India, the Tamil Nadu State
Wide Area Network (TNSWAN). It is also currently
Electronics Corporation Of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT) implementing another GOI project, the State Data Centre
(SDC). The popular scheme of Free Distribution of Colour
ELCOT is a wholly owned Government of Tamil Televisions was also entrusted to ELCOT. ELCOT is also
Nadu Undertaking, registered under the Indian Companies ushering in the IT revolution to Tier I and Tier II locations
Act 1956. ELCOT began its activities as a promotional of Tamil Nadu establishing IT SEZs at Madurai,
organization in the field of electronics industry and Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, Salem, Hosur and
transformed itself as an Information Technology arm of Sholinganallur.
Government of Tamil Nadu since the advent of the
Information Technology revolution in India. ELCOT, with 2.1 IT Promotion
the support of Government of Tamil Nadu, diversified its
Tamil Nadu has been amongst the top three states
area of operations from Electronics to Information
in terms of ICT investment and production. It has emerged
Technology, and began functioning under the Department
as a hub for software development. The Government of
of Information Technology, Government of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is actively promoting Information Technology
from 1998 onwards. ELCOT has been providing hand
in this State in order to become the ICT hub of South Asia
holding support to Government of Tamil Nadu and its
by creating a knowledge driven ecosystem, leveraging
Departments, Organizations, Boards, etc. in the area of
entrepreneurship and promoting socially inclusive growth
Information Technology, Information Technology related
to achieve a 25% production share of the Indian ICT
initiatives and e-Governance. ELCOT is the preferred
industry. The Government of Tamil Nadu involves itself
nodal agency for hardware procurement and software
actively with premier organizations like STPI, NASSCOM,
development, major turnkey IT Projects of the
CII, FICCI, MAIT etc. in promoting Information and
Government. ELCOT has also implemented a major
19 20
Communication Technology in the State. The Government
of Tamil Nadu through ELCOT and TNeGA participates in 2.2 Prominent Projects implemented By ELCOT
a number of National & international IT events, and by
(i) Hardware procurement
doing so, it has managed to showcase facilities that are
available in Tamil Nadu and the various incentives that are The Government has approved ELCOT as the

offered to the companies that invest in this State. optional procurement agency for all Government

“CONNECT” is a premier ICT event conducted by the departments and their agencies to procure IT and IT

Government of Tamil Nadu, ELCOT and CII. “Empower related products from the market. An innovative e-

IT” is a campaign in association with NASSCOM to procurement policy that is open and transparent and

promote manpower potential by inducing confidence encourages competition among vendors has ensured high

among the student community of Tier cities and to attract quality products at costs which is 20-30 % lesser than the

the ICT investments to the region. ELCOT and TNeGA market price. In the year 2008—2009, about Rs.500

organized “CeTIT 2009” (Citizen Empowerment through crores worth of e-procurement has been done by ELCOT.

Information Technology) at Chennai in partnership with (ii) Software development

FICCI to promote e-Governance. The Government of
Tamil Nadu has been an active participant and promoter ELCOT and TNeGA have been providing active

in major ICT events like NASSCOM HR SUMMIT 2009 support to the Government departments for their software

CONNECT – MADURAI 2009, EMPOWER IT 2009 AT needs by studying their requirements, preparation of RFP,

TIRUCHY, PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS 2010, floating of e-tenders and selection of software developers.

NASSCOM INDIA LEADERSHIP FORUM 2010 - ELCOT undertakes a Software Development Life Cycle

NASSCOM India Leadership Forum 2010 and CONNECT (SDLC) approach, such that a complete documentation of

COIMBATORE the entire development to roll out is captured and

documented.
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 (v) Hiring Services of IT consultants for Design,
(iii) ERP Software Development
Developing and Implementing Enterprise Information
ELCOT has developed an ERP (Enterprise
Management System (EIMS) for TNIAMWARM
Resource Planning) solution in Linux open platform,
enabling all operations of ELCOT in a web based solution.
The Irrigated Modernization and Water Bodies
The ERP has been implemented progressively from
Restoration Management (IAMWARM) project is a
01.04.2009 in ELCOT. The integration of all the functions
multidisciplinary project conceived by the Water Resource
is in the final stage. This web-based application may be
Organization (WRO) with the aim to improve the
rolled out to other Government departments after due
performance of irrigated agriculture. The project
assessment and customisation.
necessitates use of an Enterprise Information
Management System (EIMS).
(iv) AGRISNET Project
ELCOT has been nominated by the Government to
The Agriculture Department has entrusted the task
invite tenders and select an EIMS consultant for design,
of developing and hosting AGRISNET (Agriculture portal)
develop and implement EIMS in Tamil Nadu. The tender
application software aims at delivering single window
has been invited as per World Bank norms and being
information and services to the farmers. This will improve
processed. The work is expected to commence from June
the Government-Farmers interface and deliver the
2010.
Agriculture related services nearer to them. Four modules
have been completed so far. The development of SMS (vi) Civil Supplies Department e-Governance Software
alert to farmers regarding crop information, climatic Development
conditions etc is under progress.
ELCOT has created a state level Family Card
Database for the entire 2 crore families, and has hosted

23 24
the same online at the ELCOT server. Currently, the ELCOT has also developed web based application
District Collectors have started using it for various software for automating the operations of the Primary
purposes. It is expected that during the ensuing years, Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACS). This will be
ELCOT would be in a position to provide online implemented in 4500 PACS across Tamil Nadu.
transaction services to the citizens for and on behalf of
Civil Supplies Department using the Centralised database. (viii) Automation Software for Directorate of Town and
The printing of family cards is done using this database at Country Planning
District level and updation of Data base is done at Taluk
DTCP has entrusted the development of application
level. SMS Alert facility has been provided when new
software to ELCOT for automating its operations in the
cards are issued.
area of Layout Approval and Building Plan Approval. The
DTCP Software with full citizen interface is developed
(vii) Central Co-operative Banking Software
through an Outsourced Software developer and the User
ELCOT has developed web based application Acceptance Test is in progress.
software for automating the operations of the District
Central Co-operative Banks and Urban Co-operative (ix) Software for Commercial Taxes Department

banks. This web based Total Banking Application software

The Commercial Taxes Department has entrusted
is being implemented all over Tamil Nadu by the Registrar
the task of developing and hosting application software
of Co-operative Societies. This software has been
enabling the Commercial Tax Dealers to register online
installed in more than 800 DCCBs/UCBs and installation in
and to file their monthly VAT Returns online. ELCOT has
the balance 200 banks is expected to be completed by
already developed the software which is under pilot run by
June 2010.
the Commercial Tax department. During early 2010-2011,
this application software will be hosted online from
25 26
ELCOT's Main Frame Server Data Centre thus enabling portal will transform the manual process into online
the Commercial Tax Dealer Community to get the best of process and due to this the jobseekers can register
online services from Government. The following modules themselves at the employment Portal online without
have been developed and currently under User visiting the offices personally. This employment portal will
Acceptance testing capture all the registered data including profiles, scanned
• Enforcement copies of certificates and facilitate the end users. Various
• Check post reports can be generated based on the particulars of
• Territorial those who have registered themselves at the employment
• Appellate portal. The statistics collected from the Employment
Portals can be used by the Labour and Employment

(x) Web-based Application Software for Employment Department in formulating new policies and strategies in

and Training Department providing employment.

The Directorate of Employment and Training has (xi) Web-based Application Software for Construction
entrusted the development of web based application and Manual Workers Board
software to ELCOT for registration of Job seekers,
Construction and Manual Workers Board has
vocational guidance, periodical collection and compilation
entrusted the development of web based application
of data and implementation of unemployment Assistance
software to ELCOT for executing the various welfare
Scheme. The Software development is under progress
assistance schemes and pension schemes. The software
and will be completed and launched by September 2010.
was launched during September 2009. The migration of
The significance of the application is that this will serve as
Legacy data has also been successfully completed.
a virtual employment exchange that will benefit job
seekers, the corporate sector and the Government. This
27 28
(xii) Web based application for Chennai Corporation birth anniversary of Perarignar Anna and Thanthai Periyar.
A committee of Legislators comprising representatives of
ELCOT has developed a comprehensive software
all political parties under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble
application through a consultant for Chennai Corporation.
Chief Minister presides over the tender process, and this
This Software application covers a wide range of activities
has ensured transparency in procurement and distribution
ranging from Municipal accounting, Works Management,
of Colour Television sets. In the first four phases
Property Tax, Asset Management, Inventory and Stores
1,12,80,000 CTV's have been procured and distributed to
Management, Land and Estate Management and so on.
households in Tamil Nadu. With a view to cover the entire
(xiii) Computer Training Centre (Linux and Application eligible households in Tamil Nadu, orders have been
Software) placed for procurement of 40,00,000 more CTV's in Phase
Computer Training has been established with 300 V . A sum of Rs.500 crores has been allocated in the
seater capacity at Chennai and 25 seater capacity at the Budget 2010-2011 for the continuous implementation of
district headquarters. About 18,000 Government this scheme.
employees have been trained during 2009-2010.
(xv) Hand Held Billing Machines

(xiv) Scheme to provide Free Colour Television The procurement and supply of Hand Held Billing
In Order to sensitize people on the policies and Machines to 28,500 retail outlets and Kerosene bunks
programmes of the Government and to increase the under the Control of Registrar of Co-operative Societies
aspiration levels of the people, a unique scheme of free and Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation was entrusted
Distribution of Colour Television sets (CTVs) to the to ELCOT. ELCOT has supplied Hand held billing
household not having Colour Television sets was machines to 1411 ration shops and kerosene bunks in
commenced on 15th September 2006 commemorating the Chennai city. As on date, ELCOT has received orders for

29 30
supply of Hand Held billing machines to 1156 Rations the ability to collect, store and analyze accurate health
Shops in Krishnagiri and Thiruvallur districts data across the state. The project was conceptualized to
provide critical health data across the health chain for
(xvi) Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System
quick and timely intervention by health directorates.
(CCTNS)
Currently, 43 secondary care hospitals have been brought
The Police Department is in the process of planning under TNSWAN connectivity, and ELCOT expects to
a new software application viz. Crime and Criminal connect 272 hospitals in 2010-2011.
Tracking Network System (CCTNS) by networking all the
(xviii) Seamless communication
Police Stations in Tamil Nadu to track the activities of the
The Fisheries department has entrusted the
criminals in the State of Tamil Nadu and to contain the
implementation of the “Seamless Communication
same effectively. ELCOT is the State Programme
Network” project to ELCOT. This Rs.7.00 crores project
Management Consultant (SPMC) for this Rs.100 crores
will provide communication using VHF sets between
project.
fisherman boat and shore station especially in times of
(xvii) Health Management Information System (HMIS) distress, enabling better search, rescue and relief
ELCOT has signed a Rs.60.00 crores operations. Field trial have been carried out in the high
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Health seas off Ramanathapuram District, and the tests have
Systems Project for rolling out a Health Management been successful. This project is expected to be completed
Information System (HMIS) for rolling out a centralised in 2010-2011.
web-based health management information system for all
government-run secondary care hospitals and medical (xix) TN IT Help Desk

colleges under Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project. The The Hon’ble Minister for IT had announced in the

broad objective of the project is to use ICT in improving floor of the Assembly that a helpdesk will be set up to

31 32
assist entrepreneurs in setting up IT units in Tamil Nadu. A running on it. In addition to the above, the new State Data
virtual helpdesk is to be launched shortly. Centre based on GOI guidelines also will be implemented

(xx) Data Management system for Chennai Metro Rail during the year 2010. The new SDC will be the nerve

project center for all e-Governance applications. The 5 year cost

Chennai Metro Rail Limited has entrusted this of the project is Rs.55.00 crores, and is being

project to ELCOT. The successful tenderer will have to implemented by ELCOT

develop application software for document and information

(xxiii) Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network
sharing among all project participants. It will ensure
(TNSWAN)
document storage, retrieval, consulting, reviewing,
TNSWAN backbone network has been operational
communication etc.
from 1.12.2007 onwards. After the successful
(xxi) Broadband connectivity
implementation of the TNSWAN Vertical Network, ELCOT
ELCOT tendered for and obtained a highly is providing horizontal connectivity to some of the key
competitive rate of Rs.550/month with unlimited download Departments viz. TWAD Board (70), Commercial Taxes
facility, for broadband for Government Offices that do not Department (209), Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project
need TNSWAN for their connectivity requirements. This (276), Registration Department (266), Treasuries and
rate has been communicated to all Government Accounts Department (247), Employment Directorate(49),
departments. This has enabled a large number of offices Survey and Settlement (25), Tamil Nadu Medical Services
to connect to the internet at low rates. Corporation (25), and Agriculture Department, expected to
reach 5000 last mile offices. This connectivity is expected
(xxii) State Data Center
to bring to the last mile offices of many departments use
The ELCOT Main Frame Data Centre is already in the back bone Network for rolling out G2C (Government to
operation and many Government applications are already Citizen) and G2G (Government to Government) services.
33 34
 CHAPTER – III implementation of e-government program in the state..
The vision of TNeGA is to establish itself as a centre of
Tamil Nadu E-Governance Agency
excellence in e-government and to become the focal
point of major e-government activities in the State of
Government of Tamil Nadu has taken several
Tamil Nadu. TNeGA is an autonomous society
initiatives in Information Technology and was ranked as
established with a plan to raise social awareness of
one of the Leading States in terms of the e-Readiness
smart governance and the economic opportunities it
Index in the Country. The Government has taken
offers to the citizens, firm and the government through
several initiatives to build institutional framework of
appropriate awareness, education and Capacity
Governance to promote, popularize, conceptualize,
Building programs. It will strive to position itself as an
program manage and implement e-Governance
institution dedicated to promote electronic governance
programs. To institutionalize the existing structure and
by combining the best that the specialized institutions in
to drive e-Governance by creating a Special Purpose
the country have to offer into a holistic program. It will
Vehicle (SPV) for bringing in unhindered focus into
act as the principal mechanism to channelise private
framing and implementation of the State’s e-
competencies - including financial, technical and
Governance initiatives, the Tamil Nadu e-Governance
managerial – into national electronic governance
Agency (TNeGA) has been created as State’s Nodal
efforts. It will also ensure that a statewide strategic
Agency for all e-Governance initiatives. TNeGA would
architecture and groundwork is in place, in line with the
act as the support agency of the Government of Tamil
National agenda so that they can play a robust and
Nadu in all areas of e-Governance and help in
effective part in developing a national environment for
programme management of the schemes with
electronic governance. It will act as a ‘force multiplier’ to
Capacity Building. The mission of TNeGA is to achieve
design IT leveraged policies and programs that
a factor enhancement in the quality and pace of

35 36
efficiently and effectively respond directly to the Centres in Tamil Nadu. M/s.SREI Infotech, one of the
citizen’s most pressing needs, including education, two Service Center Agencies, has launched the project
health and employment on a continuing basis. It will successfully in 4 districts. The roll out and certification
offer services to Government Departments in three of Centres are progressing. Out of 5440, around 1000
streams viz., Architecture, Consultancy, Training and centres have been fully rolled out and providing
suggest high impact e-governance applications which services to citizens. In other locations, the centres are
can be viably implemented by specifying commercially being identified by the Service Center Agencies A State
viable mechanisms. Selection and empanelment of Portal on the State Portal Framework with online
vendors/consultants/agencies and contracting of services is created and it will be utilised by the
external agencies/persons/services are some of the Common Service Centers for the benefit of the citizens.
major functions of the TNeGA. The CSC's role is to provide all citizen centric services
including Business–to–Citizen services (B2C),
3.1 Common Service Centres Business–to–Business services (B2B), Government–to-

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) Citizen services (G2C) and Government to Government

formulated by the Government of India for (G2G) services. It will act as a Citizen - Government

implementation across the country, envisages the Interface to provide services to rural citizens. Some of

vision of making all Government services accessible to the range of services that may be offered through the

the common man in his locality through common CSCs include Agriculture, Banking, Education and

service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency, Training, Telemedicine, Forms downloading, Ticket

transparency and reliability of such services at reservation, Digital photos, DTP work, Web Surfing,

affordable costs. Accordingly, 5440 rural locations have Photocopy, CD burning, etc. There is a huge potential

been identified to establish these Common Service for CSCs to act as data collection points in the village

37 38
for research and government agencies. This could also in providing efficient departmental services. The
increase the local employment opportunities in the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of
village. The CSCs will be viewed as a front delivery Communication and Information Technology,
point for delivery of end-to-end rural solutions. Government of India have accorded administrative
approval for implementation of the "Pilot e-District
3.2 E - District Project
Project" for implementation in five Districts of
Districts are the primary delivery channels for Thiruvarur, Krishnagiri, Perambalur, Ariyalur and
government administration to deliver a large number of Coimbatore at an estimated outlay of Rs.12.58 crores.
services to the citizens; therefore e-governance can M/s.WIPRO has been engaged as the Project
significantly improve government service delivery at the Consultant and Implementation Support Agency
grass root level. The e-District program is aimed at through NIC. TNEGA is the coordinating agency. As of
"delivering more than 75% of the services of the now, 62 services under 9 departments have been
Collectorate electronically". e-District has been identified for implementation. For the successful
envisaged by Government of Tamil Nadu as automation implementation of the 'e-District' project, State Project
of workflow and internal processes of District Committee and the District Level Monitoring committee
Administration with the possibility of seamless have been constituted and work has been completed in
integration of various departments including Revenue, two distinct phases of identifying 'As is' processes in the
Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, BC & MBC Welfare, identified services and projecting the 'to be' processes
District Social Welfare, etc., for providing services to the so as to reengineer existing procedures and make them
citizens. This project is of paramount importance to the deliverable electronically. Proposal for inclusion of
State as it would help in creating an automated Tirunelveli and the Nilgiris districts has been prepared
workflow system for the district administration and help by TNeGA and sent to the Department of Information

39 40
 Technology, Ministry of Communications and • Consumer Grievances Redressal
Information Technology, Government of India. o Register Grievance relating to PDS as well
as non-PDS
3.3 Enhancing E-Services In Tamil Nadu
o Automated email acknowledgments to the
The following pilot projects in e-Governance have citizen
been sanctioned by Department of Information o View Reply by citizen
Technology, Government of India for enhancing e-Services • Facility for Consumer to know Allotment details of
in Tamil Nadu and are being implemented through NIC, any Fair Price Shop.
Chennai. o Register email-id along with Fair Price Shop

1. E-Services of Civil Supplies & Consumer identification for receiving automated emails

Protection Department of TamilNadu on monthly basis

o Facility to unsubscribe.
The primary objective of the project is for offering
The following Application systems have been designed
improved and efficient delivery of services to citizens by
and developed for public use, and are to be launched:
implementing web based systems and providing
• Online Application Related to Family Cards
connectivity to Taluk Supply Offices, District Supply
o Application for New Ration Card
Offices and all related offices. The systems will enable
o Application for No Card Certificate
offering of various web based services.
o Application for Non Inclusion Certificate
Applications Systems developed o Application for Change in LPG Status
o View Status of Application
Applications for Public Use:
o Online Help
The following Application systems have been
• Online Application Related to Permits & Licence
implemented and are in use:
41 42
 o Application for Bulk Permit Monthly PDS Allotment System
o Application for Wholesaler Licence A web based work-flow application has been implemented
o Application for RRC Licence for generating Monthly PDS shop wise Allotment
o View Status of Application Statements for Taluks / Zones.
• Ration Card Search
• Locate your Taluk Supply Office Online Price Monitoring System
A web based system has been implemented for
Applications for Departmental use for monitoring daily/weekly/ fortnightly transmission of prices of essential
delivery of services: commodities and vegetables, which are monitored by the

Corresponding modules for office use have also Price Monitoring Cell of the Civil Supplies Dept.

been implemented as a workflow system, for responding

to the online applications / grievances received through Online Reporting System for Seizures

the Citizens interface. These have been enhanced for

more efficient back office processing. The online software for Reporting of Seizures
allows Taluk Supply Officers / District Supply Officers and
other senior officers or CCS squad to enter complaints
G2G applications
regarding Seizures from their respective locations. The
The following G2G applications have been
consolidated Complaint Reports may be viewed online by
implemented that are being used over the infrastructure
Commissioner's Office, in sorted order of Offender Name,
established. These have been enhanced with the
or sorted order of Complaint Date.
introduction of a number of new modules/ reports:

43 44
Online Reporting System for TNCSC • View Chitta Extract by citizens
• View A Register Extract by citizens
A web based application has been developed for • Verify Chitta Extract for Agencies
online reporting of daily stock, allotment, liftment, and • Verify A Register Extract for Agencies
procurement details from all regional offices of TNCSC. • Verify whether land is Government or Private
b) Training has been given to District and Taluk
2. E-Services of Taluk Offices Officials
c) Services related to Land Records
The primary objectives of this project are the following: • To view and apply for the Chitta details
z For enabling web based systems for • To view and apply for the A Register details
improved and efficient delivery of services to
• To apply for Patta Transfer
citizens by providing connectivity to Taluk
• View the application processing status
Offices
A total of 685551 transactions have been carried
z To apply online for services
out in the Any Time / Any Where eServices .
z Providing Acknowledgement to the Citizen
511020 Chitta extracts have been generated
z Facility to view application processing status
through this system.
81917 A-register extract have been generated.
Applications Systems developed
60198 times land parcels ownership have been
verified.
Application Systems have been designed for offering
d) Applications relating to Certificates
following services to Citizens:
a) The services that are offered to the citizens are as • To view and apply for the Birth / Death
under : Certificates details
45 46
 • To view and apply for Community / Income /
2. Death Certificate 344831
Nativity / No Graduate / Deserted Women
Certificate. 3. Income 240951
• View the application processing status
e) Public Grievances 4. Nativity 107980

• Register a Grievance
5. Community 23793
• View the Grievance Petitions processing status
6. Legal heir Certificate 52342
f) The servers have been procured and installed in
the NIC State Data Centre. Total 1125924

g) TNSWAN connectivity to Taluks has been

Provision has also been made in the system for
established.
providing the “name of the child” after the registration of
Web based Certificate Management System: birth. Provision for changing the address has also been
made. These transactions, however follow a two stage
This system facilitates the taluks offices in
process. The Assistant enters the details and the same
maintaining a repository of Certificates issued and the
are approved by the concerned Tahsildar and then the
details are given below:
transaction is complete.

3. E-Services of Municipalities and Town

Sl.No Certificate Name No. of entries as
Panchayats
on 8/4/2010
The primary objectives of this project are the following:
1. Birth Certificate 356027
z The primary objective of this project is to provide

47 48
 an improved and efficient service delivery to the z Online Application for repairs related to Water
citizens by providing connectivity at ULB's and Connection
enabling web enabled services. z Submission of Application and Monitoring the
z Collect Property tax, Water Charges, status
Professional Taxes, Company Taxes etc., z Online Application for Booking of Common
z Receive application for Birth / Death Certificates Facilities
z Receive applications for booking of Community z Online booking of Community Halls
halls. z Online Booking of Auditorium etc.,
z Receive applications for Trade Licences z Replication of birth & Death details from 148
z Receive application for Water / Drainage Municipalities to the central server on a daily
Connections basis to facilitate viewing of birth & death
z Receive applications for Building permissions certificates online to the citizens
z Monitor status of applications z Online Collection and reconciliation of Under
z To register a grievance petition and view Ground Drainage Charges and Water Charges
application processing status through Banks on a Pilot basis for Avadi
Application Systems developed for public use Municipality.
The following Online citizen services have been z Online View of Birth Certificate
designed for public use: z View and obtain Death Certificates
z Online Application for New Water Connection z Trade Licence
z Submission of Application and Monitoring the z View Property Tax Details
status

49 50
 z Public Grievances • Request for time and date to appear in driving
z Register Grievance Test
z View Reply • Request for time and date for learner Licence
• Block Fancy numbers
Applications for use at Department level for • E-payment facility
monitoring delivery of services:
• Apply for those services where physical
Provision to update the details of Water Connection presence is not required
status is made available for the department user. Similarly, • Monitor the status of the application
provision to update the allotment details of Community • Implementing Dedicated LLR Online Test
halls is also available. The grievances monitoring and Centre
updation can be done online by the concerned department • Register Grievance and view the status of
user. Grievance
• View Vehicle Owner Details
4. E-Services of Transport Department in Tamil
• View Driving Licence Holder details
Nadu
• View Permit Holder details
The objective of the project is to provide connectivity at
• View Theft/Stolen vehicle details
RTO/Unit Offices of State Transport Authority and
• View Conductor Licence details
Reservation Centres of State Express Transport
• Jurisdiction of RTO offices
Corporation for enabling web based systems for improved
and efficient services delivery to citizens. The systems will
offer the following web based services:

a) Regional Transport Offices

51 52
Applications Systems developed delay in issuing Registration Certificates to
Citizens
Applications for Public Use:
• View Details of the following by the
The following Application systems have been designed
Transport Department and Police officials
and implemented for the public use:
o Owner details of a Vehicle
• Booking appointment for Driving Licence
o Driving Licence Holder Details
related transactions
o Theft/Stolen Vehicle details
o Fresh Driving Licence
o Renewal of Driving Licence Applications for Departmental use for monitoring

o Additional Endorsement in Driving delivery of services:

Licence Applications have been developed and

o Change of Address in Driving Licence implemented for the Department officials of Transport
o Change of Name in Driving Licence department for making reply to the online booking of
o Issue of Badge appointments / grievances received through the Citizens
• Booking appointment for Learner’s Licence interface. The system also helps the Officials of Transport
related Transactions and Police Department, to view the Vehicle and Licence
o Fresh learner Licence information.
• Public Grievances The following facilities are enabled in the
o Register Grievance applications:
o View Reply status o Update status of applications received
• Locate RTO office based on Jurisdiction online
• Provision made for Dealers to update the o Reply to Public Grievances
New vehicle Details for registration to avoid o Search on Vehicle Chassis Number
53 54
 o Search on Vehicle number/Owner the certificates, that are being processed with the help of
name/Vehicle class/Vehicle Type Information Technology the following are being considered
o Convicted Licence details and are at various stages of development:-
o Issue of NOC for Driving Licence
o Provision to download New vehicle • Issuance of Birth certificate,
registration data • Death Certificate
o View tax paid for a vehicle • Solvency Certificate
o View Driving Licence Details • “No Graduate in the family” Certificate,
o Search on Licence holder name and • Certificate for destitute children for
Date of Birth admission in orphanages
o MIS reports on Grievances registered • Destitute Widow certificate for priority in
and appointments booked in RTOs getting job opportunity
5. Computerisation of services in Collectorates • Destitute Women certificate
• Inter Caste Marriage Certificate for getting
Several certificates are being issued by the
assistance from Government and admission
Revenue department at the Taluk, Divisional office and
in the School
Collectorate level. A detailed study has been conducted of
• Deserted Women Certificate
these services in which issuing of certificates are a major
activity. The current process that is being followed has • “No Government Servants in the Family”

been mapped through the Process Mapping method. Certificate

Further, the existing process has been studied and a list of and so on. In some of these, the applicant can also

suggested modifications has been made in order to monitor the status of the application. The Common

improve the efficiency of granting such certificates. Among

55 56
Service Centres that are being setup will also assist the Hon’ble Minister for IT on November 24, 2009. The
citizen to the extent possible. complete workflow system at three levels namely state,
district and institution was developed using Open Source
6. Computerisation of services for BC, MBC and
technology. The new system not only cuts down the delay
Minority Welfare Department.
in the issue of scholarship but also makes the status of the
Educational Assistance is being provided to the scholarship application available through the website to
BC/MBC students studying in Government/ Government the student.
Aided Arts and Science Colleges by way of Scholarship. The Current Status of BC / MBC Scholarship System as
Educational Assistance is also provided to the BC/MBC on 16/04/2010
students who wish to pursue professional Courses.
Activity Numbers
Similarly, Educational Assistance is offered for Graduates
Institutions Registered 1,087
and Polytechnic students. The BC& MBC department has
No. of Scholarship Applications 2,97,758
decided to computerise the following services.
Received Online
• Issuance of Post Metric Scholarships Demand Raised by the Institution 81,63,36,059
• Educational Assistance to the students in No. of Applications Processed by 2,83,426
Professional courses District Office
• Educational Assistance to graduates. No. of Applications Sanctioned by 2,80,090
• Educational Assistance to Polytechnic District Office
students. Amount Sanctioned by District Office 76,11,24,063
The e-district portal for BC & MBC Scholarship Cheque Prepared for Institution 60,82,92,144
(http://edistrict.tn.gov.in) was developed and
inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister for Backward Classes and
57 58
The dashboard features are incorporated in BC & 7. Computerisation of services for Adi Dravidar and
Tribal Welfare Department
MBC portal and it enables us to move down the chart
Educational Assistance is offered to Adi Dravidar
from State -> District -> Institution -> Student
students by way of scholarships. The process of issuing
Scholarship. scholarships is done in a manual way. The existing system
does not provide the information on the status of the
SMS services for the BC MBC scholarship application or when the applicant will receive the
assistance. In order to streamline the process, the
system with the National SMS-Gateway with a test
Information Technology Department in the Government of
account of NIC-OTC was carried out. The services Tamil Nadu along with the active support of the
were demonstrated to Secretary, BC&MBC, Adi Dravidar Welfare Department has proposed to
computerize the following services:-
Commissioner –BC(i/c),Commissioner – Adi Dravidar,
• Scholarship for SC students, offered for by
Commissioner – Technical Education and Chief
Government of India.
Executive Officer, TNeGA. It was decided that the BC • Scholarship for ST students, offered for by
& MBC Department would finalise the alert Government of India

requirements and the content in each case so that all • Post Metric Scholarships for ST students,
offered by the State
the required SMS alerts can be implemented. TNeGA
• Special Post Metric Scholarship , offered by
was initiated to send a formal request to NIC for an the State
SMS account which will be used for implementing the • Educational Assistance to SC/ST/SCC
actual SMS alerts in the e-District project. Students upto Degree
• Educational Assistance to SC/ST/SCC
Students studying PG

• Higher Education Special Scholarship

Scheme.
59 60
 More Than 1,80,000 Returns are being filed by
Customisation of the scholarship system developed for BC
Dealers online every Month and Tax amount of Rs 1200
and MBC Department is being carried out for the
crores per month is being collected through e-Payment
Department on the web based Scholarship system for the
9. Computerisation of services in Social Welfare
BC & MBC.
Department
8. Computerisation of services in Commercial Tax
Department A computerized workflow system has been developed,
as a part of the e-District portal, for the end-to-end
The Information Technology Department in the
processing of applications submitted through Citizen
Government of Tamil Nadu along with the active support
Service Centres for availing services of the Social Welfare
of the Commercial Taxes Department has proposed to
department. The processing of the application-forms
computerize the following services
involves:
• Enforcement
1. Movement of application from CSC to Block office
• Check post
2. Recording of field verification details
• Territorial
3. Forwarding to DSWO by BDO after scrutiny of
• Appellate
application and verification details
The first two modules have been completed and the
4. Approval by DSWO
third module is under progress. First batch of training is to
5. Generation of Sanction Proceeding
be given to the users of pilot locations. The software for
The services identified to be implemented under e-District
e– filing and e – payment services has been developed
project for Social Welfare Department are:
and implemented by NIC. The software maintenance will
be done through NIC. i) Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivumarriage
Assistance Scheme

61 62
ii) E.V.R. Maniammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance application at any time. Thereby transparency will be
Scheme for Daughters of Poor Widow brought about.
iii) Annai Theresa Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme • Automation of workflow and internal processes of
For Orphan girls DSWO and BDO office will increase functional
iv) Dr. Dharmambal Ammaiyar Ninaivu Widow Remarriage efficiency. All the functionaries of the system such as
Assistance Scheme District Social Welfare Officer, Block Development
v) Anjugam Ammaiyar Ninaivu Intercaste Marriage Officer and Block Development Assistant are
Assistance scheme included in the workflow system.
vi) Sivagami Ammaiyar Ninaivu Girl Child Protection • Records of all steps of the workflow are maintained
Scheme. by the system for any future reference and auditing
Of these, the first three have been taken up for initial purposes. This will bring about accountability in
implementation in four select districts and then roll-out to operations.
all the districts. • It reduces the time to prepare sanction
Features proceedings/reports and maintenance of accounts.

• The citizen can make an application to avail any of The scheme-wise fund allotment to the district is kept

the above services, by registering for it through the track of by the system during preparation of Sanction

nearby Citizen Service Center which would reduce Proceedings.

the travel time for the citizen. • It enables decision makers to view MIS reports for

• On submission of the application, the citizen would monitoring of performance and service delivery

be provided an Application ID using which the citizen quality.

can track information about the status of his/her

63 64
 CHAPTER IV specific professional skills to assist the Government
departments in providing professional consultancy
4.1 State Portal, State Service Delivery Gateway And
services in capacity building and rolling out Government
E-Forms
The Government of Tamil Nadu through TNeGA is services to citizens. This SeMT will also help the

adopting a State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG) which departments in setting up their "Project e-Mission Team

will act as an interface between Government and Citizen (PeMT)" at the Department level to take ownership and

for the exchange of information and to deliver integrated roll out the project to deliver the citizen services

government services to the citizens. This along with the effectively. TNeGA has scheduled the Training

State Portal and e-forms will ensure a seamless Programme on Database Management, Hardware and

interfacing between the Government and the Citizen. The Network Administrations in Windows Operating System

Government has constituted a "State Project Committee" and imparted training to the officials of Registration, Civil

to oversee, guide and assist in implementation of this Supplies and Consumer Protection and Commercial

project for delivery of various Government services Taxes departments. Another Training programme named

through CSCs. The project cost is of Rs.16.13 crores and Basic and Specialised Level Computer Training has been

will be implemented in 2010-2011. imparted to the staff of the Tamil Nadu Health Systems
Project at Dharmapuri District. ‘Orientation Programme‘ for
4.2 Capacity Building Programme
the e-Team of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection

TNeGA is implementing the Capacity Building and Commercial Taxes departments has also been given.

Programme in building the capacity of various stake 4.3 ICT Academy

holders including the Government employees at various
levels of the Government departments. A State e-Mission The ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu (ICTACT) was

Team (SeMT) has been established at TNeGA with formed as a society by a consortium of the Government of

65 66
India, Government of Tamil Nadu and Confederation of By training these teachers, the direct benefit is that over
Indian Industry. It is a non-profit autonomous organization, 2,50,000 students will be industry ready.
registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration
The Academy was inaugurated by the Hon’ble
Act, 1975 with 7 Patron / Founding Members, which has
Chief Minister on 08.04.2008. The Government have
embarked on the novel path of improving the quality of
nominated the Secretary to Government, Information
students passing out of educational institutions in Tamil
Technology Department and the CEO, TNeGA as
Nadu, the focal point being to make them industry ready
members of the Governing Board of the Academy.
and immediately employable in the ICT industry
comprising the ICT services and the ICT Manufacturing The Secretary to Government, Higher Education
sectors. Department, Secretary to Government Labour &
The Academy will meet the skill requirements of the Employment Department and the Secretary to
industry and generate more employment in the State, Government, Industries Department have been nominated
especially in Tier – II and Tier – III cities. To improve the as the representatives of the Government of Tamil Nadu
skill level of students in the state, ICTACT will develop and to the Advisory Board of the Academy.
maintain a world class ICT industry related curriculum and The Government of India have approved a sum of
content in close association with Academia and provide Rs. 600 lakhs for the above project and released a sum of
specialized training to the faculties in the Engineering, Arts Rs. 400 lakhs to the State. This amount has been
and Science Colleges, Polytechnic and ITI across the released to the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu.
State. It will also encourage Curriculum related research in
The Hon’ble Chief Minister launched the 1st
collaboration with leading institutes in India and abroad.
programme of ICTACT at Madurai through video
The immediate objective of ICTACT is to train conferencing from his chambers on 27.08.2009 at 11.00
around 5,000 faculties across Tamil Nadu in three years. am.
67 68
 ICTACT has trained 1623 faculty members from of the students awaiting employment. The training was
Engineering and Arts and Science colleges from the 536 carried out by a professional training agency, Sun-i-tech.
st
colleges across Tamil Nadu till 31 March 2010. ICACT
The focus is on students belonging to Adi Dravidar
has also conducted 6 workshops and 12 seminars in
and Tribal Welfare, Most Backward and Backward
various locations to benefit faculty members and students.
Classes and other weaker communities of the society.
Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Corporation Much of the funding will be generated from schemes
(TAHDCO) has associated with the ICT Academy of Tamil available in the Backward Classes, Most Backward
Nadu, to train around 70 faculty members as master Classes & Minorities Welfare Department and Adi
trainers across Tamil Nadu. These ICTACT trained master Dravidar &Tribal Welfare Department. About 7000
trainers would further train around 1200 SC/ST students in candidates sponsored by Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar
various engineering colleges to make them industry ready Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) have
and help in enhancing their employability skills. been trained throughout Tamil Nadu.

4.4 IT Finishing School 4.5 Society For Electronic Transactions And Security
(SETS)
All the top 10 IT companies of India have major
SETS is a specialized organization, registered as a
operations in Tamil Nadu. The IT/ITES industry is in need
non-profit society, set up for the purpose of developing
of a large number of quality manpower for its operations.
technologies that can protect the information wealth of the
Recognizing the importance of the need for quality
country. The Principal Scientific Advisor to the
manpower, the Government provided training for students
Government of India is the present Chairman of this
in IT Finishing Schools in Chennai and in all the District
organization.
Headquarters which would then improve the employability

69 70
Membership: - The membership comprises of Government of India has sanctioned the creation of an
Government, the Public and Private sectors of Corporate, Advanced Facility for Information Security and Cryptology
R & D and academia. Also SETS has individual members (AFISC) at a cost of Rs.24.50 Crores and the Government
with expertise in the field of information security. SETS of Tamil Nadu has provided 2.9 acres of land at MGR
has a Board with Members from Research and Knowledge City, Taramani under a long term lease
Technology Development Advisory Council which agreement for construction of a building. The Building for
provides expert advice on its activities in order to achieve SETS has been completed. The Government of Tamil
the goals of SETS. Nadu is represented on the Board of SETS and is

The prominent features and details are enumerated benefited by valuable inputs due to this association in

below:- areas concerning electronic security. SETS have moved to

• Activities such as Cryptoanalysis, analysis & design its new building in Taramani.

of cryptography and other security algorithms

4.6 Indian Institute Of Information Technology, Design
• Analysis and design of cryptology protocols
And Manufacturing (IIITD & M), Kancheepuram
• Analysis and design of secure information systems
and security policy IIIT (D&M) Kancheepuram is a centrally funded
world class National Technical and Research Institution
SETS works with industry and other collaborators on set by the Ministry of Human Resource Development,
specific projects, either on a one-to-one basis or on a Government of India. The Department of Information
consortium R & D basis. SETS participate in the prototype Technology, Government of Tamil Nadu is represented on
development activities on a project-basis with a concept the Board of Management and is actively associated in
called ‘project stream’. facilitating and setting up of IIIT(D&M).

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 The Institute is fully funded by the Government of CHAPTER-V
India and offers undergraduate, post graduate and
research programs in computer, electronics and Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited
mechanical engineering with specialization in engineering
product design and manufacturing from 2007. The institute Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited was started on

focuses on education and research, in the areas of IT 04.10.2007 by the Government of Tamil Nadu with a view

design and manufacturing using state of the art concepts, to provide high quality cable TV service at a reasonable

tools and the latest global practices in this field. The cost to the general public through the Local Cable

Institute is admitting students based on the ranks scored Operators.

in AIEEE. The Institute currently functions from IIT,

Madras Campus. The Thanjavur Head End was inaugurated by
Honourable Chief Minister on 15th July 2008. Similarly the
The Hon’ble Union Minister of Human Resource Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Vellore Head Ends were
Development requested the Hon’ble Chief Minister for the commissioned subsequently. The Corporation has put up
complete transfer of identified land at free of cost. a mini analogue Head End at Vikravandi in Villupuram
Government of Tamil Nadu allotted 25 acres of land at District.
Melakottaiyur and Nallambakkam villages in Chengalpattu
Taluk, free of cost to IIIT(D&M), Kancheepuram. Currently Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited has been
150 students have enrolled. providing signals with 80 channels including Free and Pay
channels through the Head Ends mentioned above
covering the entire State of Tamil Nadu. To implement this
scheme, Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited has

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received Rs.25 crores towards Share capital and Rs.36.35 CHAPTER – VI
crores as Loan from the Government. International Academy for Internet Tamil
(formerly Tamil Virtual University)
The Government has constituted a welfare board
for the well being of the Cable TV workers. About 30,000 This Government has started Tamil Virtual
persons are expected to be benefited under the scheme. University in 2001, to provide internet based education in
The Government has allocated a sum of Rs.50 lakhs for Tamil for the Tamil Communities living in different parts of
this scheme. The above workers are eligible to avail the the globe as well as others interested in learning Tamil
benefits under the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme. and acquiring knowledge of history, art, literature and
culture of Tamils.

So far 8838 candidates from 63 Countries have

registered for different courses and 458 certificates, 15
Higher certificates, 211 Diplomas and 83 Higher
Diplomas and 53 Degrees were issued so far.

All Diploma / Higher Diploma / Degree Programme

Lessons are completed and made available in the
Academy’s website

36 Study Centres in the following 15 countries

namely USA, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius,
Switzerland, Germany, La Reunion, Australia, France,

75 76
Myanmar, South Africa, Singapore were established for 6.1Thirukkural in Cell phones:-
the benefit of those interested in learning Tamil, a majority Thirukkural with search facility has been developed
of whom have roots in Tamil Nadu. for use in cell phones.

6.2 Tamil Text corpus Analysis:-

A new facility, Virtual Class Room with world-class
equipment has been added to International Academy for A Software for corpus analysis of Tamil words is
Internet Tamil. Moreover studio equipments for producing developed now. This software is also capable of
multi media CDs of lessons are being acquired now. pronouncing and giving paradigms of a word. This will
help in development of a machine translation.
In order to assist foreigners travelling in Tamil
Nadu, an internet based language learning programme
6.3 International Academy for Internet Tamil Building
called “Tourist Tamil” was hosted in Academy’s web-site.
under construction :-

A Digital Library with 395 books, Dictionaries,

Government of Tamil Nadu has given 2 acres of
Glossaries is available for anybody’s use free of cost. The
land at Kottur village and Rs.1 Crore for constructing a
availability of the entire Sangam and Post-Sangam
building for International Academy for Internet Tamil. PWD
literature and unique search facility is a specialty. A video
has called for quotations to construct the building for
Gallery on Saiva, Vainava, Buddha, Samana temples,
International Academy for Internet Tamil. PWD award
Churches and Mosques is also available.
committee after considering the quotations has finalized
International Academy for Internet Tamil has also
the contractor. International Academy for Internet Tamil
tested 20 packages developed by the Tamil Software
building construction work has just begun and is expected
developers for compatibility with TAM / TAB (Tamil Mono /
to be completed by June 2010.
Tamil Bilingual) Standards:
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6.4 Palm leaf in Internet:- 6.7 Conversion from TAB/TAM into Unicode:-

25000 palm leaves used by Dr U.V.Swaminatha As per the recommendation of the Board all
Iyer are also available along with readable text in the e- lessons of the International Academy for Internet Tamil
library with zooming and search facilities. have been converted from TAB/TAM into Unicode. Now

6.5 Publication of Technical Glossary:- e-books are being converted into Unicode.

In an effort to make Tamil the medium of

instruction, a project for preparation of technical terms in
Tamil was launched by Government of Tamil Nadu and
Universities were given funds for preparing the technical
terms in various disciplines. The technical terms prepared
by Universities are being standardized and edited for
publication in 14 volumes by the International Academy for
Internet Tamil. Till date, first six volumes have been
published.

6.6 Committee constituted to declare Unicode as

current standard of Tamil Encoding.
Government of Tamil Nadu has constituted an eight
member committee to examine the possibility of
declaration of Unicode as the standard of Tamil
Encoding by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

79 80
 CHAPTER - VII resumed its construction activities. ELCOT has completed

Information Technology Parks In Tamil Nadu all common infrastructural works in this SEZ costing Rs.38
crores. The IT park as a whole is to be inaugurated on
13.5.2010.
As per the policy directive of Government of Tamil
Nadu, ELCOT has been promoting Information
7.2 Coimbatore IT/ITES SEZ
Technology Parks in Tier I and Tier II cities. viz Madurai,
Tiruchy, Hosur, Salem, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Vellore
Wipro and TIDEL Coimbatore have put up IT parks
and also at Sholinganallur, Chennai. The sector is now
in this SEZ. TIDEL Coimbatore is expected to complete
looking up following the economic downturn. Major
the construction of 17 lakhs sq ft park by June 2010 and
players in the industries are again evincing interest in
will commence its operation by September. 2010. ELCOT
locating their IT Parks in SEZs. The Government has
has completed all common infrastructural works in this
also taken a policy initiative to promote smaller players by
SEZ. Costing Rs.17 crores.
suitably modifying the eligibility criteria.

7.1 Sholinganallur IT/ITES SEZ 7.3 Madurai IT /ITES SEZ

Major multinational companies M/s. HCL, Wipro, In Madurai, 28.91 acres of land in Ilandhaikulam
Satyam, Cognizant Technology Solutions and Sutherland Village and in Vadapalanji 245.17 acres of land were
Global Services have been allotted with lands in this SEZ. alienated to ELCOT for establishing two IT SEZs by the
While Wipro commenced its operations in 2008 and is Government of Tamil Nadu. In the Ilandhaikulam IT SEZ
currently employing 11,000 IT professionals, HCL has a 50,000 sq.ft. IT cum Administrative building at a cost of
completed construction of 10.00 lakh sq.ft, and will Rs.15.00 crores is under construction and is expected to
commence operation by June 2010. Mahindra Satyam has be completed by September 2010. Creation of common

81 82
infrastructure facilities is nearing completion at a cost of Rs.14.00 crores is under progress and is expected to
Rs.7.50 crores. Creation of common infrastructure complete it by December 2010. The construction of a
facilities at a cost of Rs.14.20 crores in Vadapalanji IT 50,000 sq.ft. IT cum Administrative Building at a cost of
SEZ is under progress and 75% of work has been Rs.14.00 crores has commenced and is expected to be
completed. completed by November 2010.

7.4 Tirunelveli IT/ITES SEZ 7.6 Salem IT/ITES SEZ

Government alienated 164.26 acres of land to
ELCOT purchased 500 acres of land from SIPCOT
ELCOT in Jagir Ammapalayam Village, Salem Taluk,
in Gangaikondan Village, Tirunelveli Taluk, Tirunelveli to
Salem. Government of India notified in the Gazette,
establish this IT / ITES SEZ. The Government of India
164.26 acres of land of the IT SEZ on 30.04.2008 as
issued SEZ notification for 100 Acres.
Special Economic Zone. Initially the creation of
The creation of Common Infrastructure facilities at a cost Common Infrastructure facilities at a cost of Rs.10.00
of Rs.10.00 crores in 100 acres is under progress and is crores in 53 acres is under progress and is expected to
expected to be completed by the end of December 2010. be completed by December 2010.
The construction of a 50,000 sq.ft. IT cum Administrative
7.7 Hosur IT/ITES SEZ
Building at a cost of Rs.14.00 crores has commenced and
Government alienated 174.47 acres of land to
will be completed by November 2010
ELCOT in Viswanathapuram Village in Hosur Taluk,

7.5 Tiruchy IT/ITES SEZ Krishnagiri District. Honorable Chief Minister laid the
foundation stone on 26.02.2008 for this IT SEZ. The
The Government alienated 147.61 acres of land in
common Infrastructural works is expected to commence
Navalpattu Village in Tiruchirappalli Taluk to ELCOT. The
shortly.
creation of Common Infrastructure facilities at a cost of
83 84
 Replacement of old computers in Information
CHAPTER VIII
Technology Department with new computers and
accessories
NEW SCHEMES FOR THE YEAR 2010-2011.

A sum of Rs.5.50 lakhs has been allocated in the

Purchase of High end Server for implementation of Budget 2010-2011 for the purchase of 15 computers with
E-Office under Secretariat Knowledge System latest Anti-Virus Software and UPS of 5 KVA capacity for
the use of Information Technology Department in
The Government of Tamil Nadu is in the process of Secretariat.
developing e-office under Secretariat Knowledge System
Conversion of International Academy for Internet
in all its Departments which will envisage seamless digital
Tamil Digital Library Books from TAB/TAM Encoding
work flow within and between Secretariat and other
to Unicode
Departments. To implement this scheme a high end server
is mandatory. A sum of Rs.12.00 lakhs has been Due to some useful features, International Academy
allocated in the Budget 2010-2011 for implementing this for Internet Tamil has decided to convert all the digital
scheme library content from TAB/TAM encoding to Unicode.
1. User can view the content in Unicode format easily
Purchase of Copier and Photocopier
because no need to download the TAB/TAM font.
A sum of Rs.1.50 lakhs has been allocated in the
2. Search Engine Crawlers like Google, Yahoo etc. are
Budget 2010-2011 for the purchase of a copier and a
not included in the TAB encoding so the users are
photocopier for the use of Information Technology
not able to search the International Academy for
Department in Secretariat
Internet Tamil’s content easily.
3. Tamil sorting order is available in Unicode format.
85 86
 these equipments and to make them available in the
In order to get the facilities, International Academy for
Academy’s website and as CD’s. So that students
Internet Tamil has decided to use Tamil Unicode encoding
throughout the world can make use of this facility. A sum
scheme to the Academy’s website content. A sum of Rs.
of Rs.10.00 lakhs has been allocated in the Budget 2010-
10.00 lakhs has been allocated in the Budget 2010-2011
2011 for implementing this scheme.
for implementing this scheme.

The Geographical Information System (GIS)

For Modernization of International Academy for
Internet Tamil’s Computer Centre This is a tool for managing, analyzing, decision
making by seamlessly combining both spatial and non-
A sum of Rs. 17.50 lakhs has been allocated in the spatial data. In Tamil Nadu, a vast spatial data have been
Budget 2010-2011 for replacing the obsolete computers generated through GIS projects undertaken by several
with the state of the art computer hardware and software. projects like Education, Water resources, Public Works,
Watershed development, Remote Sensing, Forest, Land
Production of e-Lectures for Degree subjects offered use patterns, etc.
by International Academy for Internet Tamil
The basic issue in these projects is to utilize huge
The Government of Tamil Nadu allotted volume of existing data sets for decision making process.
Rs.25,00,000/- for procurement of e-studio equipments for Different Agencies are developing GIS on different
International Academy for Internet Tamil, under the Part-II platforms leading to inability to scale up and is also not
Scheme for the year 2007-2008 and these e-studio cost effective.
equipments are commissioned already. It is now
proposed to produce e-Lecture Series on Degree subjects Hence the project TNGIS is conceived with an ultimate

offered by International Academy for Internet Tamil using objective to create a generic model of GIS and easily

87 88
integrate with available data sets. This will set uniform
GIS platform for our State.

There is a huge task involved in standardizing the

GIS Platform and migration of the existing Initiatives done
by the individual department. This requires a huge
funding for the standardization, GIS Development, State
level infrastructure creation and migration. The GIS maps
with multi-user facility will be procured by Tamil Nadu
Road Sector project. Hence it is proposed that the task of
creating the standard GIS platform in the State would be
taken up with an initial budget estimate of Rs.43.50 lakhs.
An amount of Rs.43.50 lakhs has been allocated in the
Budget 2010-2011 for this scheme.

Dr.Poongothai
Minister for Information Technology

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