Gandhinagar, March 30 (NationPress) Gujarat has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing 56 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in the previous financial year, spanning over 200 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. This achievement underscores the state's commitment to a more robust digital governance framework and its growing reliance on technology for effective service delivery.

Officials reveal that Aadhaar authentication services are currently utilized across 13 government departments to enhance transparency and operational efficiency in benefit transfers.

These initiatives are part of a larger strategy aimed at fortifying e-governance and minimizing leakages in public service delivery.

The state government emphasized that its digital initiatives resonate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Digital India” and are being executed under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia.

The focus has been on providing quicker, more transparent, and corruption-free services to all citizens, including those in remote regions.

Gujarat Informatics Ltd (GIL), the primary agency for e-governance in the state, is facilitating Aadhaar authentication and e-KYC services for various departments.

Officials noted that integrating these services into DBT schemes has bolstered administrative efficiency and ensured direct delivery of benefits.

In its pursuit of technological advancement, the state has also launched an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence at GIFT City in Gandhinagar to foster innovation and support startups.

The Gujarat AI Stack, an integrated platform, provides tools for services such as crop disease diagnosis, document conversion, grievance classification, and guidance on government schemes.

These tools are accessible as APIs for developers and government use.

To streamline access to services, a 'Single Sign-On' portal has been introduced, allowing citizens to utilize one ID to access multiple schemes and services.

Currently, 13 applications from various departments have been incorporated into this system.

The rollout of the 'Bhashini' project has facilitated the translation of information into numerous Indian languages, with 52 government websites and applications now integrated with this tool.

Moreover, WhatsApp-based services have been introduced, enabling citizens to receive certificates directly on their mobile devices.

The connectivity infrastructure has also seen enhancements through the Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN), which connects approximately 6,000 government offices across 34 districts and 248 talukas via an intranet system.

This network has supported around 4,000 video conferences and more than 13 webcast events throughout the year, including those related to the state’s grievance redressal platform, SWAGAT.

Officials mentioned that the Secretariat Integrated Communication Network is being upgraded to an IP-based system to further enhance communication within government offices.

On the cybersecurity front, the Gujarat Security Operations Centre is tasked with monitoring threats, auditing government websites and applications, and offering training to officials.

The Gujarat State Data Centre, which serves as the state’s shared IT infrastructure, currently hosts over 750 websites and applications.

According to the government, ongoing digital transformation initiatives over the past decade have significantly improved access to governance, technology, and services across urban, rural, and remote areas, with a persistent focus on expanding digital access and participation.