The reflection of effective governance in Punjab can be easily seen by the number of “Common Service Centre” or “Suvidha Kendras” opened by the government across the state for the convenience of people.
These Kendras are multiple-services-single-point representation for availing amenities for multiple transactions at a single geographical location. The prime intention of these centres is to provide a physical facility for delivery of e-Services of the Government of Punjab to the rural and isolated locations where availability of computers and internet is currently nil. This would help the citizens of the state to avail basic amenities in a hassle-free manner.
These Suvidha Kendras across the state are Gram Suvidha Kendra, Saanjh Kendras and Fard Kendras.
Gram Suvidha Kendras:
We can’t deny the complexities that agricultural value chain in the state has to face. In order to ease the complexities, the government is working effectively to weed out spurious inputs, lack of storage facilities, and high number of intermediaries that add on to subsequent margins without adding any value to the produce.
To guarantee citizen-centric services in the rural areas, Punjab Government has decided to set up 3037 e-Gram Suvidha Centres in the villages across the state at a cost of Rs. 90 crore. The delivery of old-age pension, registration of pension for handicapped and widows and disabled persons is monitored and ensured by these Gram Seva Kendras. These centres have been set to ensure various welfare schemes besides various citizen-oriented services in a hassle free and competent manner.
Saanjh Kendras:
This project was started in 2010 in the state as a partner initiative between the community and police. It is said to have extended the concept of community policing centre, up to sub-division and police station level. More than 500 Saanjh Kendras have been implemented in the state. The main motive to start this project was to provide services to citizens immediately leveraging the state-wide IT platform.
Fard Kendras:
This project has computerized upto 51 million land records across 36 districts in the state. The government has by now computerized all types of land records like Jamabandi, Roznamcha waqiati and Mutation. Jamabandi Records include the Khasra and Khatauni of the lands. This digitization of land records has benefitted the land owners as well as the revenue department. Owners can now get the nakkals of their land records on the spot from any Fard Kendra or even access them online. This has brought in transparency between the revenue department and the land owners.
This e-governance revolution is not only going to address important issues like enhancing facility experiences, but will also help in curbing corruption to a certain level. The e-governance strategy has brought smiles to millions of faces as availing facilities has become easier. The e-facilities installed is another step towards growth and development of the state.
Government of Punjab 