BENGALURU: In the pipeline for over a decade, the proposal to make the state legislature paperless remains a non-starter.
Five years ago, Karnataka had revived the project and entered into an agreement with the Centre over the cost-sharing mechanism to implement the national eVidhan project. The Centre and the state had agreed to share the cost (Rs 69 crore) under a 60:40 ratio. But nothing has moved thereafter.
“From software customisations to a lack of political will, the state government hasn’t taken any step to implement the system which is currently operating in 16 other states,’’ secretariat officials said. And it is unlikely to be implemented anytime soon, as the government has asked legislature officials to do a gap analysis between what Karnataka requires and what is being implemented in other states.
Chief secretary P Ravi Kumar told STOI directions have been given for the gap analysis and submit a report in a month. “While we admit there has been a delay, it has not been easy as well. There have been concerns with regard to customising the software to our needs,” he said.
Software glitches
According to government officials, trouble began soon after Karnataka legislature proposed to go paperless 2015-16. It took a leaf out of Himachal Pradesh’s software implementation called National e-Vidhan Application (NeVa).
“However, it was found that NeVa could be applied only to unicameral legislatures and till date only those states have implemented the system,” said an official.
While Karnataka still has the option to ditch the software and get its own customised and local application for going paperless, the government appears to be keen on the central government funding. “While we’re exploring options, NeVa software implementation would mean the Centre will provide 60 per cent of the funding,” said Ravi Kumar.
According to officials, the Centre has allocated Rs 250 crore towards implementing the NeVa project nationwide and could provide additional funding if required. But the biggest stumbling block has been the lack of political will. “When senior leaders are not keen on embracing technology then there is nothing you can do,” said a senior BJP MLA.
