The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)

The Government of India has designed the National e-Governance Plan with the vision of providing all government services in an integrated manner at the doorstep of the citizen, at an affordable cost. The NeGP initiates consist of 27 Central, State and Integrated Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) along with 8 other support components for rapid introduction of e-governance in the country. The NeGP has built a three pillar model for delivery of "web-enabled Anytime, Anywhere access" to information and services in rural India.

CSC - Common Service Centre

The CSC act as the vehicle of delivery for Government, private and social sector services to the rural citizens. The CSC are developed as common platform for providing both social and private sector organizations to integrate their social and commercial goods and benefit the rural population with IT as well as non-IT services.

Benefits of an ICT enabled CSC:

• Citizen centric services of the state and central governments available more conveniently, all across rural India.
• A more accountable, transparent and responsive approach of the Government towards the public needs.
• Efficient and Cost Effective methods of service delivery to various departments and agencies.
• Social and Private sector collaboration with the Government to avail world class services.
• Rural empowerment by educating and training the Village Level Entrepreneurs in business and IT Management, via information distribution and market linkages.

CSC Scheme Structure:

The CSCs are implemented and operated, based upon a three layered structure that includes; State Designated Agency (SDA), Services Centre Agency (SCA) & Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE).

• State Designated Agency (SDA):

  The SDA is the third tier of the CSC operational structure that is designed by the state. It takes responsibility to formulate policy guidelines from time to time and facilitates proper implementation of the G2C services. It also takes in its account the disbursement of finance/revenue to support the SCAs.

• Service Centre Agency (SCA):

  If VLEs are the horses, then SCA is the chariot behind it. It controls and watches over the VLEs and is the prime driver of the CSC eco-systems. The SCA is the owner of the CSC network in predefined areas of operation in the state. It is responsible for identifying the required applications and services, harnessing the state network, identifying and training the VLE, establishing the CSC (either directly or through the VLE), supplying, aggregating and updating content and services and so on. It is supported by the NLSA and SDA to implement the CSC schemes efficiently.

• Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE):

  The VLE is the driving force behind every successful CSC operation. They manage the CSC business on the grass-root level and are the first and foremost part of the entire scheme.

VLE

is an extended brand-ambassador for all stakeholders of the project. He creates a stronger foundation in a word-of-mouth sensitive rural setting.

VLE

model gives deepest reach possible. Being a man amongst them, the VLE brings element of trust   local relevance.

We Select

the quality of service at the CSCs would be as effective as the quality of VLEs running them. Selection and training of the VLE therefore is vital for CSC’s success. Other than statutory qualification, we look for some body who has entrepreneurial traits, strong social commitment as well as respect within the community.

Vayam we-LE

VLE is the key to the success of the CSC operations. While content and services are important, it is the VLE's entrepreneurialability that ensures CSC sustainability. He is required, without any prejudice, to provide all services to all rural citizens.

We provide

basic orientation programme educating the VLE about the context and responsibilities of the program.
Entrepreneurship training, technical training and updates in IT operation, along with G2C and B2C services.

We communicate

both on-site and offsite through e-mails, SMS, call, toll-free and visits. Growth of mobile as access point in rural areas is also encouraging us for innovations in service delivery.

Responsibilities of a VLE:

• Effective Service Delivery:    The VLE is responsible for providing all the Government to Citizen (G2C) and Business to Customer (B2C) services to the citizens visiting the CSC.
• Sales and Promotion:    The VLE should be actively involved in the sales process of the products and services given to him, using all his skills and social relationship.
• Feedback:   The VLE is responsible for providing regular feedback to the company.
• Relation with Government Functionaries:    The VLE shall maintain cordial relationship with Government and Panchayat functionaries at the local level.

The VLE will ensure an unprejudiced delivery of services to each and every citizen under his catchment.