Tamil Nadu: Operational costs force E-seva centres to close

Chennai: Several e-seva centres across Tamil Nadu that had been helping the public to avail birth certificates, caste certificates, death certificate and income certificates have been closed due to operational costs. According to informed official sources, the state had not released salaries for the temporary workers appointed in the e-Seva centres for the past nine months. The project a brainchild of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was well received by the public and instant hit among the public as it defeated the corrupt practice at tahsildar offices. "The seva centres monitored by the Department of Information Technology and special project implementation was operated through non-government young staffers and they were doing a good job, but much to the public dismay, they have been closed and there is no answer from the authorities," said a state government employee who is now running from pillar to post to get a community certificate for his daughter.

There are about 60 certificates that can be availed through e-sevai centres and the closing down these centres and reverting the public back to the tahsildar office has now earned the wrath of the public, he said. When DC visited Pallvaram and Tambaram Taluk offices on Friday, the public complained about the inefficiency in issuing the government certificates by the Taluk officials.

Last nine months no salary was paid to us, but still, most of us were working as Elcot authorities assured payments, but now the revenue officials have insisted on closing down the e seva centre, confirmed an e seva centre employee in Kancheepuram district.  "I am visiting the Tambaram Taluk office for the third day to avail the first time graduate certificate for my son, but the staff is callous and take public time for granted", rued  R. Panchavarnam, a resident of East Tambaram.

When contacted M Goutham, deputy manager, Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation (TACTV), Chennai south said, " We delayed our processes due to server issues in e-governance portal last week. However, we have been carrying out the task quite well and have been rendering our services to the public".  "People are aware of these centres not only in city but also in rural and other areas. We receive literates, illiterates and workers," he added.

When contacted another official in Kancheepuram about the poor services rendered at revenue offices, the revenue official assured that the matter will be taken up with the district collector for further action.