Digital lockers to WiFi hot spots: Modi sarkar makes life easier with people-centric digital services

Narendra Modi is arguably India’s most tech-savvy prime minister and also someone whose every public move is tracked by netizens. His election campaign showed that Modi had learnt the art of using technology to build perceptions while a year in office has proved that the same technology can be used for better governance too. No politician has used social media and internet to his advantage better than Modi. His infatuation with internet has never been more evident. The PM has launched a website by his own name www.narendramodi.com to keep people updated on his works and ideas wherein presence of almost every leader of the ruling party on social networking platforms can be felt (eg.- Sushma Swaraj, Smriti Irani, Prakash Javadekar). The Centre has launched a series of people-centric digital services under its ambitious ‘Digital India’ programme, which include digital lockers, cloud sharing, electronic signature, WiFi hot spots and e-textbook project among others. It has also launched online services to obtain Birth Certificate, Caste Certificate, Tribe Certificate, Domicile Certificate, Driving Licence, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate, and also to apply for PAN Card, TAN Card, Ration Card, Passport etc. Here’s a recap on how technology has and will be the foundation for much of what Modi seeks to do in his time in office as India’s Prime Minister. [caption id=“attachment_2253826” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] 1. The Digital locker: Carrying documents as proof of identity, residence or academic qualification while applying for a job is a headache for most citizens. Anyone who has misplaced a passport or had a degree certificate stolen would know the ordeal of getting it replaced with a new one. But that will end soon citizens in Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh etc are expected to have the facility to store digitized copies of important documents like passport, voter card, driving licence and PAN card in an online locker. Named Digital Locker, the facility is an online repository, a cloud service. The private locker will store all the important documents of user, which are digitally verified by government. So instead of sending physical copies, users can share the link of that cloud folder having digital copies of verified certificates. 2. Apply online to give up your LPG subsidy: You can apply to give up LPG subsidy online with the help of this portal. Just punch in your 17-digit LPG ID to avail services related to LPG and giving up your LPG subsidy as well. Forms for joining Pahal services and getting new LPG connection are also available. Safety tips for LPG consumers are also given. 3. Unhappy with the government? File a complaint online  You can file your grievance online with the Central Government Ministries, Departments and various State Government Departments. This service is provided by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. Users can lodge grievances, get reminders or clarification on past grievances and check the status of already lodged complaints. 4. Check you pension and calculate it too  You can calculate your pension through pension calculators provided by Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare. Dearness Relief Calculator is also provided for the users. 5. **Public Wifi:**The government has begun the process of rolling out public wi-fi hotspots at major tourist destinations. Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mysuru, Varanasi, and Kolkata offer public WiFi at a few spots, but none of the cities has WiFi network available across the city. 6.Apply for a Pan card, TAN Card and passport online:  Indians can check the online status of their Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) application submitted to Income Tax Department. Users can also track status of their application by selecting the application type, acknowledgement number, name and date of birth of the applicant. To check your passport status or renew it, click here.  7. You can register your land/property and vehicle online : In Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh you can now register your property online without having to wait in a long  queue to visit registration offices to get hard copies of the transactions. The downloading procedure is simple. Every time, a property is registered, the transaction is kept with the sub-registrar office with a unique registration number. Due to which, every property deal will be available with the IGR and is, in turn, available for downloading as well. People can also register cars online  with the Transport Department of Delhi. Users have to select the name of the dealer from where the vehicle has purchased. Detailed information on eligibility, procedure, fees and other details is available online. 8. Indian Railways gets a digital makeover: Indian Railways has to be the sector with most tech activities being carried out since the new government took charge. First, the  Railways launched a mobile app for passengers to post their complaints. Passengers can also pre-book a meal from fast food chains like Pizza Hut and KFC as part of the government’s e-catering initiative. Bangalore  became India’s first wi-fi equipped railway station and the Railways increased their budget to provide wi-fi in trains. The Railways is also working on a policy to become official logistics partner of eRetailing giants such as Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal.