CSC model becomes very successful, Ravi S. Prasad says during women VLE workshop

Within 10 years of inception, 3.65 lakh CSCs have become operational and are undertaking financial transactions worth over 70,000 crore rupees.

Minister of Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that Common Service Centres (CSCs) have the potential to grow exponentially to do financial transactions of Three lakh crore rupees in the next five years. Addressing the CSC women Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLE) workshop here today, Sh. Prasad said that the CSC model has become very successful. Within 10 years of inception, 3.65 lakh CSCs have become operational and are undertaking financial transactions worth over 70,000 crore rupees.

The CSCs provide high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services. A highlight of the CSCs is that it offers web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas, including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills.

Sh Prasad called upon the VLEs, associated with Common Service Centres (CSC), to form Self-Help Groups to start a movement in the country. He said that India wants to promote self-help groups which can usher in big changes in villages and help in the country's development. "CSC has become an integral part in the implementation of various Govt. schemes and delivery of services," Sh Prasad said. The Minister said that the best performing CSC will be given an award of Rs. 10,000 and some of them will be sent abroad to showcase their achievements.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan said that CSC has become an important government agency and it should build upon its strength in the future to expand and consolidate. He said the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has already entered into an agreement with CSCs to help in booking and delivery of LPG cylinders. A new dimension to this collaboration is likely to be given by making CSC as PoS (Point of Sale). He said it would be desirable if 25% of LPG distribution is routed through CSCs.

Shri Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao, Minister of State for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, and Human Resource Development, and Sh. Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also spoke on the occasion.

(With Inputs from PIB)