The plan is to complete rollout of 100,000 centers in the current year

Please give us an update on the rollout of CSCs
that have been deployed? How far has the government been successful in deploying
the same?

We have been trying our best to meet the deadlines. So far 81,025 CSCs are
rolled out across twenty-nine Indian states. The plan is to complete the rollout
of 100,000 centers in the current year. We are targeting to have a holistic
development across the country. Our vision is to provide all government services
in an integrated manner at the doorstep of the citizens at affordable costs.

Connectivity has been the main issue. Do you think that
once BWA technology gets in place, this issue will get resolved?

Connectivity is an essential component to ensure that CSCs are able to
provide various services to rural masses. DIT is partly funding BSNL to provide
WiMax based connectivity to all CSCs in rural areas. BWA technologies, once
deployed in rural areas will be useful.

Has BSNL been successful in connecting the rural areas?
Are services available in the already deployed CSCs?

BSNL has played an active role in the deployment of CSCs. 12,200 CSCs have opted
for BSNL connectivity (as on June 2010). Yes, services are available in the
already deployed CSCs. BSNL has enabled all their rural exchanges and it is
expected that all CSCs will be connected with wireline or wireless broadband by
2010.

What were the other reasons that has led to the dismal
show in the CSC scheme by the government?

Well, in my opinion the show has not been dismal or flop. I do agree that
there were some bottlenecks. Making 81,025 CSCs operational in rural areas in
spite of challenges relating to power, connectivity, lack of services and
difficult terrain cannot be regarded as dismal. This is actually one of the most
successful telecenter projects in the world.

Some states like Gujarat have achieved the best in
terms of CSC deployment, while others like the Northeast and Himachal Pradesh
have had a poor show. How are you trying to balance this uneven growth?

Hilly areas like the Northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh certainly have
challenges like difficult terrain, etc, but progress in those states is not bad.
Manipur has completed almost 100% CSCs (although the state has difficult terrain
and an unstable law and order situation) and Assam too has made good progress in
terms of rollout and service delivery. Their 80,000 centers can be a shining
example of micro enterprises across the country.

Archana Singh

archanasi@cybermedia.co.in