Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Ltd (TACTV), which runs 659 e-sevai centres across Tamil Nadu, has invited applications from private internet browsing centres to provide certain government services in urban centres on a franchisee model.
It would entail providing services that are currently being provided by TACTV through its e-sevai centres, such as issuing community certificate and nativity certificate, payment of various bills, printing of Aadhaar plastic card, payment of crop insurance and passport services, among others. “There is a demand for starting Arasu e-sevai centres from some other departments in remote places and in locations not coming under the purview of Arasu e-sevai centres of TACTV,” J. Kumaragurubaran, Managing Director, TACTV, told The Hindu.
Initially, TACTV hopes to roll out these services through private internet browsing centres in corporations, municipalities and town panchayats. “This model has been implemented in Bengaluru and Madhya Pradesh, where government services are offered through private providers. There is no time constraint under this model. As the government-run centres work from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., if someone wants to avail of any service beyond this time frame, the empanelled browsing centres will be useful,” the official said, explaining the rationale behind the move.
According to Mr. Kumaragurubaran, there have been complaints that centres to avail of such services were not sufficient. “There is also too much crowd at taluk offices. This move will help distribute the crowd,” he said. About 86 services can be availed of from the designated browsing centres. The service charge for the services remains the same as those at the e-Seva centres. The revenue will, however, be shared between browsing centres and TACTV. “We are currently working out a revenue-sharing model and a final decision will be taken by the Board soon,” he said.
