About 3,000 old computer systems will be replaced with new ones in Odisha as the state government there has decided to implement Odisha Secretariat Workflow Automation System (OSWAS) at the State Secretariat in 2009 at a cost of about Rs 22 crore.

The state IT department in 2009 had initiated the e-governance project OSWAS. It had signed an agreement with software major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for providing the software.

The project was planned to be implemented over a period of three years in two phases. The first phase would cover 16 departments including the chief minister’s office and remaining departments would be included later. High level computer training was also imparted to all the concerned employees.

The rural development department was the first department to install and carry out the project of e-governance online.

As per agreement with TCS, the Company would provide the software while the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) would load it in computers and install those in different departments. Meanwhile, the finance department has advised 40 departments to forward lists of their requirements for computers for facilitating and giving an impetus for smooth implementation of OSWAS. Taking the cue of the finance department, all departments purchased about 3,000 computers with printers and scanners at their levels and installed with internet connections.