Patna, Dec 16 (IANS) Thousands of people, particularly youths from rural Bihar, will no longer have to travel to urban pockets to surf the internet as the government is all set to provide the facility at the panchayat level.
At least 6,000 panchayats in the state will be provided with internet facilities under the central government’s plans to connect rural areas, official sources in the information technology (IT) department said Wednesday.

According to IT department officials, internet facilities will be provided at the panchayat level by Common Service Centres (CSC). “After the CSC connects panchayats with the internet facility, villagers will be able to surf the internet, book railway and air tickets and use it for other online services,” officials said.

Villagers will also easily get birth and death certificates and land records. They will also be able to learn about various job opportunities and the government’s welfare schemes.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials here said the CSCs would be connected to the internet through Wi-Max, a wireless medium for broadband connectivity, which BSNL launched last week across the country.

Last month Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that the Bihar government will soon have its own information technology (IT) policy and give industry status to the IT sector to help it attract more investments.

Kumar also announced that the government would launch an e-governance mission for better coordination among all departments.