CS unveils two volumes on research progs of S&T Deptt

Chief Secretary launching services under auto-appeal on Friday.
Chief Secretary launching services under auto-appeal on Friday.

*Launches 6 more services under auto-appeal

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: Chief Secretary, Dr Arun K Mehta, unveiled two volumes on research programs of the Science and Technology Department conducted by JK Science and Technology Council in collaboration with 7 Universities of Jammu region.
These R&D projects included action research on contemporary and cutting-edge areas by University of Jammu, Central University of Jammu, IIT Jammu, BGSBU Rajouri, SMVDU, GDC Jammu and Cluster University.
The program was conceived and implemented by Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology Department and Additional Director, JKSTIC Nasir Shah. As an outcome of these projects, 7 patents have been registered and 11 startups have been created. This shall be followed by a new tranche of 200 research projects in various prestigious institutions of JK UT.
The documentation was appreciated by Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta who is also a prime mentor and guide for the latest initiative. These initiatives are aimed at increasing the investment in R&D on Local technology and building an ecosystem for scientific startups and entrepreneurship among the youth of JK.
The senior officers including all Administrative Secretaries and officers of the Science &Technology Department including Rashim Deepika, Financial Advisor, Science & Technology Department and Sanjay Kharoo, Joint Director, JKSTIC were also present during the launch.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta launched the PSGA auto-appeal feature for 06 more online services offered by the Housing& Urban Development Department. The feature is going to auto escalate the appeals in case the services are not provided to the applicant within the time limit set under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA).
Dr Mehta complimented the IT Department for integrating the feature in the vital digital services offered by the Housing Department to the citizens. He directed for integrating this Auto-appeal feature for all the designated 43 online services by next month. He also advised them to work for activating this feature for all the 105 services specified under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) at the earliest.
The Chief Secretary stated that these services form the bulk of the applications of citizens made in the department. He said that the auto-appeal feature for services related to everyday life of the people like birth and death certificates are critical for enhancing ease of living.
He observed that this feature would act as a turning point in maintaining transparency and accountability in services to the public and eradicating corruption. He stated that auto escalation feature of online services is going to put an end to malpractices besides promoting fairness, a priority set by the current dispensation in all its affairs including offering of government employment and public contracts to its citizens on the basis of merit alone.
The Services which were today brought under the Auto-appeal system includes Non-Availability Certificate of Birth Record, Issuance of Birth certificate and inclusion of child name in existing record, correction in existing birth record, Issuance of Death Certificate, Non-Availability Certificate of Death Record and Correction in existing Death Record.
Those who were present includes Principal Secretary, H&UDD; Commissioner Secretary, IT; Secretary, GAD; SIO, NIC; Scientists from the IT Department besides other concerned officers of these Departments.