Kerala State Rutronix has clarified that its Digital Seva Kendras to be run by women are not intended to provide online services being already provided by Akshaya centres. The statement was made in a hearing with the Kerala State IT Mission director on May 17, held as per a High Court directive following a complaint filed by Forum of Akshaya Centre Entrepreneurs (FACE) expressing concern that the Rutronix initiative might lead to the closure of Akshaya centres.
Rutronix, an apex federation of 18 Rural Women’s Electronics Societies set up by the State government, has plans to set up 1,000 digital seva kendras as part of its women empowerment programme. The seva kendras promises to provide government and non-governmental e-services as well as other digital marketing services. The Managing Director of State Rutronix said in the hearing that the digital seva kendras are aimed at providing services to address the digital divide as well as empower women. It will be focussed on digital literacy and training programmes and does not intend to provide services being provided by Akshaya centres.
Considering the statement from Rutronix, the representative of FACE said that it is no longer opposed to the opening of the digital kendras. Following the hearing, the IT Mission Director Sandip Kumar observed in an order issued on July 5 that in case the Rutronix decides to provide online services of any government department through the digital seva kendras, it should seek the permission of the Electronics and IT department.
“As per a government order issued in 2019, Akshaya centres under the IT Mission are the sole centres for providing online services of the government. We decided to approach the Court since opening similar centres by another department is a violation of the existing order. Akshaya centres are already struggling because a large number of such centres are being allotted. The outcome of this hearing is thus a relief to us,” says Stephen John, president, FACE.
