MeghRaj Government’s GI Cloud initiative

MeghRaj Government’s GI Cloud initiative

India, with its vibrant IT Industry and accelerated IT adoption in government, is uniquely positioned to benefit from cloud computing
Renu Budhiraja, Sr Director & HOD State Data Centers, Department of Electronics & IT (DeitY), Government of India

Cloud computing has been identified as one of the thrust areas in the proposed National IT Policy from Government of India. This is likely to unleash new growth opportunities for Indian IT Industry and also bring innovation in the way IT solutions and services are delivered.
To utilise and harness the benefits of Cloud,the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) of Government of India has embarked upon an ambitious programme – ‘GI Cloud’, also coined as ‘MeghRaj’. In order to drive this initiative, a Task Force was constituted by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) with the objective to bring out the strategic direction and implementation roadmap of GI Cloud leveraging the existing or new infrastructure.

The GI Cloud vision, policy and the respective policy principles are as mentioned below:

GI Cloud Vision
The GI Cloud vision is ‘To accelerate delivery of e-services provided by the government and to optimise ICT spending of the government’.

GI Cloud Policy
The GI Cloud policy states, Government departments at the centre and states to first evaluate the option of using the GI Cloud for implementation of all new projects funded by the government. Existing applications, services and projects be evaluated to assess whether they should migrate to the GI Cloud’.

GI Cloud Policy Principles
The GI Cloud policy principles as defined in the report are:

• All government clouds to follow the standards and guidelines set by Government of India
• At the time of conceptualisation of any new Mission Mode Project (MMP) or other government project the existing services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) of GI Cloud to be evaluated first for usage
• All new applications to be cloud ready

Overview of GI Cloud Implementation and Adoption Roadmap
The ‘GI Cloud Adoption and Implementation Roadmap’ provides details of GI Cloud implementation aspects. It defines the architectural vision, various components, eco-system and the institutional mechanism of GI Cloud. It also introduces the business and self-sustaining model and covers the capacity and capability building aspects required for GI Cloud. Finally it provides the steps for implementation of GI Cloud.

Features of e-Gov App Store Downloadable and runnable versions of applications Authenticated users will be allowed to publish and download User feedback, rating of applications and demo versions available Users can view, sort, search and filter the list of applications, components and web services and provide feedback and rate an application

Road Map Focus on product development /productisation Inclusion of applications /components developed by industry Establishment of complete ecosystem of eGov Appstore Evolve a Policy on access and usage, uploading hosting etc

GI Cloud Architecture
The architectural vision of GI Cloud centres on a set of discrete cloud computing environments spread across multiple locations, built on existing or new (augmented) infrastructure, following a set of common protocols, guidelines and standards issued by the Government of India. The GI Cloud services will be published through a GI Cloud Services Directory.
One of the major considerations made while developing the architecture vision has been consideration for the investments that have already been made by the government on building infrastructure both at the national as well as state levels, for example, data centres at the national and state levels, the network backbones available through SWAN, NKN, NICNET and the middleware gateways e.g. NSDG, SSDG.
The GI Cloud environment has been depicted in the figure below.

GI Cloud Services
The GI Cloud will be equipped to provide cloud services, i.e. IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. However, the services provided by GI Cloud are different from the end-user services like services delivered through various MMPs like e-District, Passport, eSeva Project, MCA21 and Income Tax, and other national or state projects like UIDAI. An indicative list of cloud-based services include:

Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS):

• Compute as a service
• Storage as a service
• Network as a service
• Disaster recovery as a service
• Backup as a service
• Virtual desktop solutions
• Infrastructure for application development and testing

Platform-as-a-service (PaaS):

• Platform for application, portal development and testing
• Platform for application or portal hosting
• Database as a service
• Collaboration platforms

Software-as-a-service (SaaS):

• Email as a service
• Productivity suites (as a service)
• ERP as a service
• BI and analytics as a service
• Security as a service
• Common central services like payment gateway, mobile gateway, PKI, etc as a serviceNational eGov AppStore

 

National egovernence App store

 One of the major components of GI Cloud includes establishing National eGov AppStores at the National Clouds. The eGov AppStore aims to be a National level common repository and market place of productized applications and components that can be used by various government agencies/departments at Centre and States, with the vision to accelerate delivery of e-services. The pilot launch was held on 31st May 2013 by MOC&IT with 20 applications (apps.gov.in).

GI Cloud Eco-System
The figure below depicts GI Cloud eco-system

Conclusion

Formulation of the GI Cloud Strategy and adoption roadmap are one of the primary steps that will facilitate large scale adoption of cloud by government. DeitY will now focus on the implementation aspects of GI Cloud.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

 
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is a poverty alleviation project implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. This scheme is focused on promoting self-employment and organization of rural poor. The basic idea behind this programme is to organize the poor into SHG (Self Help Groups) groups and make them capable for self-employment. In 1999 after restructuring Integrated Rural Development Programme(IRDP), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched Swarnajayanti Grameen Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) to focus on promoting self-employment among rural poor. SGSY is now remodeled to form NRLM thereby plugging the shortfalls of SGSY programme. This scheme was launched in 2011 with a budget of $ 5.1 billion and is one of the flagship programme of Ministry of Rural Development. This is one of the worlds largest initiative to improve the livelihood of poor. This programme is supported by World Bank with a credit of $ 1 Billion

NAWADCO (National Waqf Development Corporation)

This Corporation has been established with an authorized share capital of Rs.500 Crore. It will facilitate and mobilize financial resources for setting up of facilities like schools, colleges, hospitals on waqf properties for community purposes in a transparent manner.

There are more than 4.9 lakh registered waqf properties in India today which fetch an annual income of about Rs.163 crore. Many of these properties have the potential of generating considerable returns, which in turn could be used for the socio-economic development of the Muslim community. As per the estimates of the Sachar Committee, if these properties are properly developed, they could fetch an annual income of about Rs. 12000 crore, assuming an annual return of 10 percent on the value of the property. It is this vast potential that NAWADCO will strive to realize.

The central Government has also recently amended the Waqf Act. The amendments are expected to bring transparency in administration of waqf properties and provide an enabling environment for the development and utilization of waqf lands to the benefit of the Muslim community.

The amended Act has particularly strengthened the role of Central Waqf Council (CWC), which was established to advise the Government on matters pertaining to the working of State Waqf Boards and proper administration of waqf properties. The Council is now empowered to issue directives to State Waqf Boards on their performance, particularly on their financial performance, survey of waqf properties, maintenance of waqf deeds, and prevention of encroachment of waqf properties.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Small irrigation schemes are environmental friendly thus they offer sufficient employment opportunities especially to rural people, resulting in maximum utilization of natural resources. Remember, a great number of minor irrigation schemes on rivers as well as rivulets may offer required irrigation to agriculture lands of local tribal beneficiaries. Moreover the latest technology is greatly suited to tribal communities and thus projects are really a suitable option for self-management. It is a known fact that the famous Pani Panchayat project has aroused with great enthusiasm. Hence, requests are usually pouring into establishment of new small as well as lift irrigation schemes and finally revive the dilapidated ones. Hence, government realized to emphasis of new modern lift and minor irrigation schemes should be cast in the form of Pani Panchayat that would offer enhanced momentum to this useful campaign. Hence, keeping in mind aforesaid objectives, the central government of India has launched a new useful project called Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana in the year of 2001.

Process for sanction of scheme

• Remember, there would be an open or free invitation to the local farmers to greatly form themselves especially into a legally registered Pani Panchayat to derive desired benefits of irrigation help from Indian government.  Moreover, these associations need to be formed especially around irrigation schemes such as lift and minor or flow. Remember, the application for these schemes need to be addressed to city collector of a particular district just under the legal title called Biju Krushak Vikash Yojana.
• Moreover, all the proposals received by city collector or DM would be surveyed by certain appointed engineers of department at the city level such as –
• Important lift irrigation schemes more than four hectare by assistant engineers or executive engineer of OLIC department.
• Remember, minor or flow irrigation schemes along with less than total 40 ha. Especially by trained engineers of DRDA, ITDA, block and soil conservation department.
• Moreover, minor (flow) schemes of irrigation along with ayacut of about 40 ha. As well as above by trained engineers of local minor irrigation department.
• Remember, the estimate of schemes would be sanctioned by appointed engineers of certain department which are listed above as per the delegation of legal powers of their working department. Moreover, the cost of desired survey needs to be done by certain department.
• Moreover, the scheme found logically feasible would be posed to other agencies by city collector as given below.

Remember, lift irrigation scheme more than four ha- ITDA/DRDA/OLIC

Projects of minor (flow) below than 40 ha- ITDA/DRDA

Moreover, project of minor irrigation more than 40 ha- main or chief Engineer of M.I.

Method of funding

Remember, the financial help shall be limited to about 80% of total estimated cost and the desired contribution of scheme Pani Panchayat would be only 20% of total capital cost. However, in situation of tribal sub-plan locations as well as KBK cities, the help could be raised to about 90% of total capital. However, the Pani Panchayat scheme can contribute its total share either in labor or in cash or in the form of agricultural land. Hence, the help to a scheme Pani Panchayat towards the total capital cost would be provide only after it would be registered as legal society under the Indian societies Act of 1860 and for that a legal model by Indian law would be furnished by local DOWR.

However, capital money for execution of LIPs and MIPs in local KBK cities are usually met from SCA or special component legal assistance received just under local KLTAP. In the same way, the loan given from local NABARD is also being availed just under local RIDF project fro execution of LIPs as well as MIPs in non-KBK cities.

Scheme Status

Total 7516 lift irrigation schemes as well as about 84 small irrigation schemes have been greatly taken up and out of which total 6902 are LIPs and total 84 MIPS have been finally completed on March in the year of 2012. Moreover, additional irrigation schemes to about 153.49 thousands hectares also have been completed.  The information is provided in the stated below tables.

Cost recovery and O&M

Remember, the maintenance and operation of the scheme would be taken up by local Pani Panchayat. Moreover, Pani Panchayat is free to collect desired user fees from all the beneficiaries.

MAHATMA GANDHI PRAVASI SURAKSHA YOJANA (MGPSY)

MAHATMA GANDHI PRAVASI SURAKSHA YOJANA (MGPSY)

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has introduced a Pension and Life Insurance fund scheme called Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) for the Overseas Indian workers having Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports.

The objective of MGPSY is to encourage and enable the overseas Indian workers by giving government contribution to:

• Save for their Return and Resettlement (R&R)
• Save for their old age,
• Obtain a Life Insurance cover against natural death during the period of coverage.

The government contribution available under the MGPSY is for a period of five years or till the return of subscribed worker back to India, whichever is earlier. 

The main attractions of MGPSY are:

• Government contribution of Rs.1,000 per annum in line with Swavalamban platform for all MGPSY subscriber who save between Rs.1,000 and Rs.12,000 per year in NPS-Lite.
• An additional government contribution of Rs.1,000 per annum by MOIA for the overseas Indian women workers who save between Rs.1,000 to Rs.12,000 per year in NPS-Lite.
• A special government contribution of Rs.900 by MOIA towards Return and Resettlement (R&R) of the overseas Indian workers who save Rs.4,000 or more per annum.

Gramin Bhandaran Yojana

Gramin Bhandaran Yojana

 It is well known that the small farmers do not have the economic strength to retain the produce with themselves till the market prices are favorable. There has been a felt need in the country to provide the farming community with facilities for scientific storage so that wastage and produce deterioration are avoided and also to enable it to meet its credit requirement without being compelled to sell the produce at a time when the prices are low. A network of rural godowns will enable small farmers to enhance their holding capacity in order to sell their produce at remunerative prices and avoid distress sales. Accordingly, Gramin Bhandaran Yojana, a capital investment subsidy scheme for construction / renovation of rural godowns was introduced in 2001-2002.

The main objectives of the scheme include creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to meet the requirements of farmers for storing farm produce, processed farm produce and agricultural inputs; promotion of grading, standardization and quality control of agricultural produce to improve their marketability; prevention of distress sale immediately after harvest by providing the facility of pledge financing and marketing credit; strengthen agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country by paving the way for the introduction of a national system of warehouse receipts in respect of agricultural commodities stored in such godowns and to reverse the declining trend of investment in agriculture sector by encouraging private and cooperative sectors to invest in the creation of storage infrastructure in the country.

The project for construction of rural godowns can be taken up by individuals, farmers, groups of farmers/growers, firms, non-Government organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups(SHGs), companies, corporations, co-operatives, federations and agricultural produce marketing committees in the country.

 Location

Under the scheme, the entrepreneur will be free to construct godown at any place, as per his/her commercial judgment except that it should be outside the limits of Municipal Corporation area. Rural godownsconstructed in the food parks promoted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries shall also be eligible under the scheme for assistance.

 Size

Capacity of a godown shall be decided by an entrepreneur. However, Subsidy under the scheme shall be restricted to a capacity of minimum 100 tonnes and maximum 30,000 tonnes. Rural godowns of smaller sizeupto 50 tonnes capacity will also be eligible for subsidy under the scheme as a special case based on viability analysis. In hilly areas, rural godowns of smaller size upto 25 tonnes capacity will also be eligible for subsidy.

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)

The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) will bring in several new dimensions, which listed as- mental health, nutrition, substance misuse, gender based violence and non-communicable diseases. 

It have been confined to sexual and reproductive health of adolescents that too at select government facilities.

The programme introduces community based interventions through peer educators, and is underpinned by collaborations with other Ministries and State governments, knowledge partners and more research. 

Referring to the strategic approach to RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, New born, Child Health + Adolescent) in which `A` denotes adolescents.

It new focus on adolescents is in recognition of the fact that without adolescent health, maternal and childhealth outcomes may continue to elude us.

The RKSK programme defines an adolescent as a person within 10-19 years of age, in urban and rural areas, includes both girls and boys, married and unmarried, poor and affluent, whether they are in school or out of school.  

This broad definition helps to address the myriad problems of adolescents across various groups and categories. The programme emphasis seven ‘Cs”- coverage, content, communication, counselling, clinics and convergence.