Shimla, August 14, 2015: The State Government is planning to connect all the 3243 Gram Panchayats of the State under National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). This will connect all the panchayats with broadband internet connectivity.
A Spokesman of the State Government stated here today that the State Government was implementing National Optical Fibre Network and at present Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity was available at the State Capital, district headquarters and upto the block level.
This will be done by utilizing existing fibres of BSNL and laying incremental fibre to connect to Gram Panchayats wherever necessary. It would help in proliferating the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) down to panchayat level. He said this service had the potential of empowering rural masses by providing improved access to information and public services. It would also facilitate electronic delivery of services like e-education, e-health, e-banking, e-agriculture to the rural population of the country.
He said the services would improve connectivity for applications used by Panchayats under various government schemes like MNREGA, PDS, Land Records, Birth/Death Certificates/Digital Literacy etc. Use of NOFN by Telecom Operators and Service Providers would also result in creation of local employment, revenue generation.