DIT Bihar keen on Blockchain

Importance of Blockchain as a tool for future-ready eGovernance

Patna 4th June 2022: The Department of Information Technology, Government of Bihar, organized a workshop on Blockchain for Government applications, for senior Government officials & dignitaries on 4th June 2022 at Ashoka Hall, Hotel Maurya, Patna.

Shri Santosh Kumar Mall, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of IT, Govt. of Bihar, in his address to the audience said “Technology has been playing a pivotal role in empowering governance in the modern era. Blockchain Technology could reduce government redundancy, streamline processes, decrease audit burden, increase security, and ensure data integrity.” He further added that blockchain will enable the government body to drive eGovernance with optimum efficiency.

Shri Vivek Kumar Singh, IAS, Development Commissioner, Govt. of Bihar, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The Workshop commenced with the customary lighting of the lamp by chief guest along with the dignitaries on the dais that is, Shri Santosh Kumar Mall, IAS, Principal Secretary Dept. of IT, GoB, Shri Arvind Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Labour Resource Department, Shri B Rajendar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Shri Ravi Manubhai Parmar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Minor Water Resources Department, Shri Arvind Kumar Choudhary, Special Secretary, Dept. of IT, GoB, Shri Aditya Kumar Sinha, Director C-DAC Patna, and Smt. Laksmi Eswari P R, Director, C-DAC Hyderabad.

Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Backward Cast & Extremely Backward Cast Welfare Department, Shri Jitendra Srivastava, IAS, Secretary Home Dept., Shri Sanjay Agrawal, IAS, Secretary, Water Resources Dept., Smt. Safeena, IAS, Principal Secretary Minority Welfare, Shri Sandeep K Pudakalkatti, IAS, Secretary, Labour Resources Dept.,Shri H R Srinivasa, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, Sushri Ranjita, IAS, Labour Commissioner was also present on the occasion.

Shri Viivek Kumar Singh, Development Commissioner of Bihar emphasized on importance of the Blockchain technology. He further added that different verticals in the Government can benefit out of this technology. The implementation of this technology will result in improved efficiency & transparency.

Blockchain experts Kunal Abhishek, Mahesh Patil, Shri Aditya Kumar Sinha, Director C-DAC and Shri Gokul Alex, Lead SME on Blockchain shared their enriched knowledge and discussed benefits of Blockchain with the attendees.

The Department of Information Technology, Government of Bihar, invited senior officials from all the important departments of Bihar Government. The attendees of the workshop represented Co-operative Dept., Beltron, General Administration Dept., Finance dept., SC ST welfare dept., KPMG, BPSC, Rural works dept., Planning and Development dept., PHED, Transport Dept., IPRD, Art Culture & Youth Dept., Sugarcane Dept., Animal Husbandry dept., UIDAI, Board of Revenue, Energy Dept., Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mssion, Social Welfare Dept., Labour Resources Dept., Agriculture Dept., Minority Welfare Dept., Panchayati Raj, Bihar state Tourism Development Corporation ltd., Commercial tax dept., Law Dept., Home Dept., IG Training with Bihar Police, Building Construction Dept., to name a few.

The experts elaborated that Blockchain technology is an immutable public digital ledger, which means that when a transaction is recorded, it cannot be modified and due to the encryption feature, the blockchain is always secure. Transactions are done instantly and transparently, as the ledger is updated automatically. Since it is a decentralized system, no intermediary fees are required and the authenticity of transactions is verified and confirmed by the participants. It is certain that in specific applications, blockchain can ease government processes, streamline processes, reduce audit burdens, increase security, and ensure data integrity.

Description: C:\Users\Dell\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.MSO\B9C992F3.tmpThe successful applications of Blockchain in government services were also told by the expert speakers. In the field of e-governance, the government can reduce the service time period, as well as establish the authenticity of the certificates, by using blockchain technology in land registries, transport licenses, educational certificates, public service certificates, etc.

The vote of thanks was given by Shri Arvind Kumar Choudhary, ITS, Special Secretary, Dept. of IT, GoB. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest, Blockchain experts from C-DAC & all esteemed participants from various Departments of Bihar Government. He further added, “This workshop will prove to be very helpful for various Government Departments & blockchain will be a very useful tool for future ready eGovernance“.