To introduce the usage of information technology at peoples' doorstep in rural and mountainous belts in Kashmir, the state Government has set up Khidmat Centres and Community Information Centres (CICs) in the state.

The Community Information Centres are in 135 Blocks and 646 Khidmat Centres are functional in Jammu and Kashmir to provide common services to the people, officials of the state Information Technology Department said.

"Traditionally, Khidmat means to Help Out. A Khidmat Centre, true to its name, is committed towards devising ways to make information and knowledge available to all", the officials said.

The CIC provided with state-of-the-art equipment such as computers, printers, Webcam, etc., with effective internet connectivity is a combination of a PC based citizen kiosk with content enabling citizen centric services, e-governance, e-learning and e-commerce, they said.

It enables access to databases containing a wide range of information regarding agricultural marketing, disaster management, employment opportunities, public health, etc.

The CICs will work as an interface between the public and government and provide the citizens easy access to socio-economic databases, the officials said.

Khidmat Centres will offer over 30 services, including digital Loan Documentation, Core Banking Facilities, NREGA photograph, NREGA data collection, government form submission, death and birth certificates, property tax payment, electric and BSNL bill collection, LIC premium collection.

Agricultural soil testing and diagnosis, gas booking, railway ticket reservation, examination results, photography, digital videography, mobile top ups, information regarding electoral processes, data entry, Internet, e-Learning, advertising and access to job portals will be some of the other services to be provided, they added.
The Khidmat Centre, as a subsidiary of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, will bridge the digital divide between urban and rural Kashmir, the officials said.

The Bank has taken up the establishment of the CSCs that were identified as one of the four pillars of the National e- Governance project (NeGP) of the Centre.

Stating the J-K Bank has taken up a major initiative to make information and knowledge reach all corners of the State, they said, the bank has embarked upon a mammoth e-Governance Project recognising the vision of a rural India that goes hand in hand with its urban counterpart in having unlimited access to all government services.