Digital technology important in increasing access to govt services: Himachal DyCM Mukesh Agnihotri

Una (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 1 : Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri stated on Tuesday that the extensive use of digital technology in the state would make government services more accessible and efficient. He directed the formulation of a statewide policy to strengthen services such as temple visits, donations, and other offerings through digital technology.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a one-day conference on Digital Technology and Governance held at the auditorium of the Skill Development Center in Palakwah, Una.
The conference focused on job creation through digital technology, bringing technology closer to the people, and expanding the reach of public services while improving their effectiveness.
Deputy CM Agnihotri instructed the department to prepare a statewide policy for using digital technology to strengthen services in temples for visits, donations, and other offerings. He emphasized that Himachal Pradesh is home to world-renowned Shakti Peeths and historical temples.
"Efforts should be made to establish a unified digital system across the state, including arrangements for temple visits and donations via digital means," he said. He stressed the importance of using digital technology to improve governance and enhance the reach of public services, focusing on better utilization of technology for job creation.
Mukesh Agnihotri urged digital technology experts to ensure that the benefits of technology reach the common people and contribute to making their lives easier. He said that the true significance of the digital revolution lies in making public services more accessible and simplifying people's lives.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the role of Lok Mitra Kendras in expanding digital services in rural areas. He stated that attention should be given to establishing these centres in regions where they are yet to be set up so that rural populations can also benefit from these services.
He also mentioned that HRTC has introduced cashless travel services by promoting the use of digital technology. "Through this, passengers can now pay their fares using an online application," he said.
Himachal DyCM also emphasized that Congress gets credit for bringing information technology to India.
"Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had started the computer era in the country. At that time, the opposition had strongly opposed it and came to Parliament on bullock carts and claimed that computers would harm the country and jobs would be lost. However, time has shown that information technology has brought revolutionary changes in India and has taken the country forward on a new path of progress," he said.
Mukesh Agnihotri added that at present, the working system of government offices is being linked to the digital platform, due to which people are getting more facilities online. He said that earlier people used to get information about jobs through Rozgar Samachar, but now in the IT era, information about jobs is immediately available online through computers, tablets and mobile phones.