Punjab CS holds conference on e-governance projects

Punjab government Chief secretary today held a video conferencing session with all the Deputy Commissioners to review the progress of implementation of various e-governance projects in the state. Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal issued directions to Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to complete all the pending e-governance projects in time-bound manner so that essential public services could be…

Govt makes a pitch for open source software in IT tenders

With an aim to reduce project costs, the government has decided to give preference to open source software (OSS) over proprietary in e-governance procurements. “The government of India shall endeavour to adopt open source software in all e-governance systems implemented by various government organisations as a preferred option in comparison to closed source software (CSS),”…

The Shifting Stances Of Mr. Chidambaram

Last week, former finance and home minister and senior Congress leader Palaniappan Chidambaram was under attack from one of his own senior colleagues in the Congress party. Former law minister Hans Raj Bharadwaj squarely attacked him for being responsible and the force behind the draconian section 66A of the Information Technology Act which was quashed…

Beyond section 66A: Care to be free in bits?

All those concerned with free speech are rejoicing. The recent Supreme Court judgment regarding Section 66A of the Information Technology Act is, indeed, a ringing endorsement of basic rights, and a strong statement against arbitrary curbs on freedom of expression. In an act of not unusual hypocrisy, major political parties have welcomed the judgment. That…

Writer expresses apprehension over dictatorial trends

Stating that cultural renaissance is taking place in north Andhra districts, noted poet and Central Sahitya Academy award-winner K. Siva Reddy has said it will make writers to produce works on the exploitation of the region. The experience of writers would form the basis for such works, he said inaugurating ‘Janakavanam’, organised in the run-up…

Togadia Cites Population, Puts Tab on Procreation

Senior VHP leader Praveen Togadia on Sunday advocated two children norm for each family belonging to any religion in the country. Advocating that a common civil code should be established in the country, he said, “Law should be same for members of all religions. There must be a control on the population. Two children norm…