The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has demanded Rs 16.56 billion under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2019-20. The ministry has proposed a total of 23 schemes including eight ongoing and 15 new schemes. A total demand of Rs 16.56 billion has been made against these schemes with Rs 9,814 million for new schemes and Rs 6,661 million for ongoing schemes.
The ministry has proposed a new project "Digital Locker" with an estimated cost of Rs 200 million under the PSDP for 2019-20. According to official documents, the objective and aim of the project is a central secure portal for storing, sharing and signing documents digitally. It would facilitate the government agencies and citizens with document tracking, archiving, and information retrieval system.
Further the objective behind the proposed project is to promote the culture of open system for government so all relevant services/applications can be integrated. The documents further revealed that the project is expected to be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 200 million, of which Rs 35 million have been demanded for the next fiscal year 2019-20 under the PSDP.
The project is proposed to be completed with own resources and not through foreign aid. The ministry has proposed another new project "Smart office all government organisations/departments" with an estimated cost of Rs 573 million.
According to the documents, the objective behind the proposed project is automation of businesses including email, data sharing, remote connectivity, and A/V VOIP facilities using the ICT tools/technologies. The MoITT has demanded Rs 200 million under the PSDP for 2019-20, which would be met from own resources and no foreign aid is involved.
The flagship project of the ministry is ensuring e-offices in the government departments and so far 27 out of 45 ministries have reached level-2 of the e-office setup and 15 are in process. The project will also include automation of record in not just executive but the Parliament as well.
The previous government had allocated Rs 7.12 billion in the budget 2018-19 for IT Ministry and its attached departments. The government had allocated Rs 3.046 billion in the PSDP for 2018-19, but it was cut by 53 percent i.e. to Rs 1.597 billion and further revised to Rs 1.448 billion.