Govt planning unified communication service

The State Government is planning to set up Common Communication Service to facilitate inter-department communication.

The Kerala State Unified Communication Service envisages bringing an estimated six lakh employees and 10,000 odd government offices across the state irrespective of the kind of communication system they use under a common digital mail network. Currently, government offices use different software and applications for file management. These include e-office at the state level, e-district at the district levels, and various apps for the Police force. However, there are many offices that continue to use traditional mail or special messenger to send official letters and communication since they are not electronically connected.

According to government sources, the common communication service will improve efficiency in day to day functioning of offices, since communications would be faster under the network. Sources said the new network will also cut postage charges. The network will have firewalls to handle secret and classified files. It would be possible to track mail, besides locating government orders.

The portal will also facilitate faster Government to Citizen communication, providing one stop service on matters requiring inter-departmental intervention for resolution. The communication service will be hosted by the General Administration Department, with C-DIT as the implementing agency.

EoM