The CSC is a strategic cornerstone of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), approved by the GoI as part of its commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme to introduce e-governance on a massive scale.
It is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information, GoI.
A CSC is managed by Local unemployed, educated youth providing opportunities for direct and indirect employment.
CSC aims to provide access to information, backed with relevant infrastructure and end-to-end services that would allow rural population, the opportunities to enhance their quality of life
Structure:
The Scheme creates a conducive environment for the private sector and NGOs to play an active role in the implementation of the CSC Scheme, thereby becoming a partner of the government in the development of rural India.
The PPP model of the CSC scheme envisages a 3-tier structure consisting of the CSC operator (called Village Level Entrepreneur or VLE); the Service Centre Agency (SCA), that will be responsible for a division of 500-1000 CSCs; and a State Designated Agency (SDA) identified by the State Government responsible for managing the implementation in the entire State.
Work:
The CSCs would provide high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services.
A highlight of the CSCs is that it will offer web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas, including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills.
In addition to the universe of G2C services, the CSC Guidelines envisage a wide variety of content and services that could be offered as listed below:
CSC online monitoring tools:
CSC SMART Solution: This application tracks CSC roll out the progress at block level up to the stage CSCs are finally commissioned. The application tracks CSCs over stages, such as the selection of SCAs, selection of CSC locations, identification of VLEs, setting up IT infrastructure, Internet connectivity, commissioning, final certification of CSCs, the system also tracks the status of BSNL connectivity at various CSC and provides useful performance information of CSCs.
CSC Online Monitoring Solution: Post CSCs are commissioned; the online monitoring tool helps in the registration of CSC IT terminals and tracks uptime of IT terminals. Each CSC PC is required to install and register online monitoring tool. The online registration process serves a proof of availability of CSC IT terminals as validated by their unique machine ID (Mac ID) and internet availability for delivering digital services.
CSC Online Dashboard: This tool provides executive MIS on registration and uptime status of CSCs on Pan India basis and tracks the performance of CSCs, SCAs and States based on uptime logs generated and disseminated by the online monitoring tool.
CSC Connect: CSC Connect is a facility available to various Service Access Provider (SAP) Portals to allow CSCs to login into their portals using their unique CSC ID/password combination defined under CSC Online Monitoring System. This facility would save CSC the trouble of registering their profiles and remembering their IDs and password with multiple SAPs. The CSC Connect mechanism would make it possible for CSCs using their unique CSC ID / Password to gain access to the SAP Portal and will also help DIT to measure the usage of services of various SAP sites at various CSCs.
CSCs 2.0 – The Way Forward:
Launched to expand the outreach of CSCs to all Gram Panchayats across the country.
CSC 2.0 scheme would consolidate service delivery through a universal technology platform, thereby making e-services, particularly G2C services accessible to citizens anywhere in the country.
Key Features:
A self-sustaining network of 2.5 lakh CSCs in Gram Panchayats
A large bouquet of e-services through a single delivery platform
Standardization of services and capacity building of stakeholders
Localised Help Desk support
Sustainability of VLEs through maximum commission sharing
Encouraging more women as VLEs
Empowering District e-Governance Society (DeGS) under District Administration for implementation.
