The Government of Manipur is pushing a broad technology agenda covering e-governance, digital connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, innovation and IT/ITeS employment, the Department of Information Technology (DIT) said at the 16th edition of ‘Meet the Press’ held today at the DIPR Auditorium, Imphal.
Director of Information Technology G. Robert Sharma said the department is working to expand technology-enabled public services and strengthen digital infrastructure across all 16 districts, with support from the Manipur State IT Society (MSITS), Cyber Corporation Manipur Limited (CCML) and IIIT Society Manipur.
On e-governance, Sharma said eOffice Manipur now covers 184 departments, directorates and undertakings with 5,702 users. Around 1.49 lakh e-files have been created and 42.84 lakh processed. The e-Seba Manipur Portal has received 5,06,484 applications and issued 4,39,957 certificates, while the Centralized RTI Portal had registered 235 applications as of September 24.
For digital connectivity, BharatNet has been activated in 325 Gram Panchayats, accounting for more than 70 per cent of planned connections, while the Amended BharatNet Programme covers 2,889 Gram Panchayats and villages. The RoW Portal has issued 132 permissions for telecom infrastructure.
The department is also pursuing an AI Centre of Excellence, with plans to support 24 AI start-ups, develop 30 AI prototypes or products, implement 10 AI solutions and use cases, and create 500 jobs.
Under the World Bank-supported Manipur Infotech eNabled Development (MIND) Project, an AI-enabled Tier-III State Data Centre is being pursued along with a proposed Manipur Cyber Security Operations Centre, Manipur Computer Incident Response Team and Cyber Security Lab.
Sharma said the Cyber Hub Manipur at Mantripukhri is being developed as a technology, innovation and employment hub. IT Building-II, sanctioned at Rs. 120 crore under PM-DevINE, has achieved 78 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by October 31. Fifty-six fully furnished 2BHK residential units are also being constructed at a cost of Rs. 49.82 crore under SASCI for IT/ITeS professionals.
The operational IT Park at Mantripukhri currently houses four organisations employing more than 121 IT professionals, while the proposed Innovation Hub Manipur is intended to provide incubation, mentorship, prototype development, training and other support to start-ups, innovators and youth.
On technology skilling, Sharma said 116 students have undergone training under the HCLTech TechBee Programme, with 57 completing training and joining HCLTech as full-time employees while pursuing graduation through partner institutions. The State Government provides sponsorship of Rs. 50,000 per student.
He also said the State’s innovation ecosystem has facilitated more than Rs. 9 crore in start-up funding, incubated over 80 start-ups, supported more than 50 legal entities, reached over 6,000 innovators and helped commercialise more than 35 start-up products.
The session concluded with an interaction between media representatives and DIT officials on various aspects of the department’s initiatives and ongoing projects. Informatics Officers Lupesh Khaidem, Y. Jateen Singh, K. Vivek Meitei, Herojit Sanjembam and N. Kejit Singh from DIT, along with Informatics Officer Estrella Khoisnam of CCML, attended the programme.