DEHRADUN: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Thursday reviewed the functioning of the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) and directed that the agency must function as the single nodal authority for all information technology related services provided to government departments in Uttarakhand.
The review meeting was held at the Secretariat, where the Chief Secretary emphasised the need to strengthen ITDA’s institutional capacity to support the state’s expanding digital governance requirements. He said that all departments should route their information technology services through ITDA to ensure uniformity, efficiency and accountability.
The Chief Secretary stated that ITDA must act as the single needle agency for providing digital services, including the development, operation and maintenance of departmental websites and mobile applications. He said fragmented digital initiatives across departments often lead to duplication, inconsistency and operational inefficiencies, which can be avoided through a centralised system.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Secretary instructed ITDA to take responsibility for developing websites and applications for all state departments. He said that ITDA must scale up its technical and operational capabilities to meet this responsibility effectively. He stressed that digital platforms must be user friendly, secure and responsive to the needs of citizens.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed that the State Data Centre 2.0 should be prepared at the earliest. He said that a robust and modern data infrastructure is essential for handling increasing digital workloads, ensuring data security and supporting future technology driven governance initiatives. He added that the delay in strengthening backend infrastructure could hinder the delivery of efficient digital services.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Secretary also underlined the importance of long term planning. He instructed ITDA to assess departmental requirements and prepare systems keeping in mind the needs of the next five to ten years. He said that digital governance should not be reactive but anticipatory, with infrastructure and systems designed to accommodate future growth.
The Chief Secretary further directed that adequate budgetary provisions should be made to strengthen ITDA. He said that without sufficient financial support, the agency would not be able to attract skilled manpower, upgrade technology or expand infrastructure. He stressed that digital governance is now a core function of administration and must be backed by sustained investment.
Officials present during the review informed that ITDA has been providing various technology services to departments, but the growing scope of digital governance requires enhanced capacity. The Chief Secretary said that ITDA must evolve from a support unit into a central digital governance institution capable of handling complex and large scale projects.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Secretary instructed ITDA to prepare standard operating procedures for the development, operation and maintenance of departmental websites and applications. He said that clear SOPs are essential to ensure consistency in design standards, data security protocols, update cycles and grievance redress mechanisms.
He said that departmental websites and applications are often the first point of interaction between citizens and the government. Therefore, delays, technical glitches or outdated information can erode public trust. He stressed that ITDA must ensure timely updates, smooth functioning and compliance with established digital standards.
The Chief Secretary also emphasised coordination between ITDA and other departments. He said that departments must clearly articulate their digital requirements, while ITDA must provide technical guidance and solutions aligned with state level digital policy objectives. He added that effective coordination would help avoid delays and improve service delivery.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Secretary Nitesh Kumar Jha and Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, along with other senior officers from various departments. They discussed ongoing digital initiatives and shared inputs on strengthening ITDA’s role in implementing technology driven governance reforms.
Our correspondent adds that the review highlighted the state government’s focus on strengthening digital infrastructure as part of broader administrative reforms. The Chief Secretary said that digital platforms should not only improve internal efficiency but also enhance transparency, accessibility and citizen satisfaction.
He reiterated that technology must serve governance objectives and not operate in isolation. He said that ITDA’s role as a single nodal agency would help streamline processes, reduce costs and improve the overall quality of digital services offered by the government.
The Chief Secretary concluded the review by directing ITDA to submit a roadmap outlining capacity enhancement, infrastructure development and implementation timelines. He said that regular reviews would be conducted to monitor progress and ensure that digital initiatives remain aligned with administrative priorities.
Officials said that the directions issued during the meeting are expected to significantly strengthen ITDA’s role and improve the delivery of digital services across departments. The move is seen as an important step towards building a unified, efficient and future ready digital governance framework in Uttarakhand.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
