Andhra Pradesh, the largest state in southern India with a population of roughly 70 million people, had an ambitious plan to bring computer access into 5000 government schools to benefit 1.8 million underprivileged children. Given limited funding, the government of Andhra Pradesh sought the most cost-effective way to provide computing access to these schools. They needed a low-cost solution that would also save them in long-term operational and maintenance expenses.

“HOMES” is an on-line e-Governance application through which Andhra Pradesh State Housing Corporation Ltd. (APSHCL) manages & monitors its massive housing programme of 6.5 million houses being constructed for BPL families in the state of AP. Through HOMES Cement, Materials and payments are made online by the corporation to the beneficiaries every day. Average Rs.50 millions are distributed throughout the state and 1200 Laptop computers being used to access HOMES to update data and generate release orders to beneficiaries at village level.

With a view to provide citizen centric & transparent administration, the District collector & District Magistrate, Jalgaon has developed an Integrated Voice Response System to provide a 24 hour online public grievance redressal system and FAQ forum being used widely through telephone and mobile. For these service citizens has to dial (0257)- 2222222 (Seven times 2) to access the service.Except the ordinary telephone call charges there is no other charges laid down for this service.

The Govt. of West Bengal, through one of its agency, The West Bengal State Rural Development Agency (WBSRDA) launched the initiative as a pilot in 5 Blocks and 54 Gram Panchayats two 2 districts with financial support from NISG and UNDP ,where either power or roads or connectivity was a major roadblock . Use of mobile phone is increasing day by day and its use amongst the common citizen has urged for experimentation with its innovative use for strengthening of Local Governance.

A web based application on .Net framework on MS SQLServer database was decided to be developed . A PPP model was adopted by the State Government for this. A private party was entrusted with establishing “Pragya Kendras- panchayat level kiosks” at all the panchayats , approx 4600. The application was developed by NIC, Jharkhand State unit and hosted at the NIC Jharkhand data centre.