Bengaluru, May 13: The Karnataka Assembly is soon going paperless at all levels, with the state assembly set to go paperless from July, with MLAs and MLCs using biometric-enabled iPads with a unique built-in app during the monsoon session.
This will help avoid bundles of papers, including bills, being handed over to MLAs. Last month, the Assembly and the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project to implement this digital scheme.
Speaking to the media, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader said that the project is estimated to cost around Rs 60 crore. The state government’s share will be 40% of the cost (around Rs 24 crore).
We want to digitise both the Houses. All papers including agenda, starred questions and answers and bills to be given to MLAs will be sent in e-format, so they can easily access them, he said.
The system will have in-built software and will be user-friendly, he said. According to Khader, the scheme is expected to reduce various expenses that are being incurred now.
Also, the question of losing documents will not arise. All MLAs will be trained to use it. He said that it will not be difficult to use it as most MLAs are smartphone users.
MLAs are allowed to use their phones to browse data or various people-centric issues in the House, Khader said. He said that he has asked the officials to remove jammers to facilitate smooth use of the new system.
The proposal was tabled in the House when Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri was its Speaker. There was a debate on whether Karnataka should adopt the Centre’s NeVA or have its own software. But now, the House is ready to implement the scheme.