Bhubaneswar: Cief minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday launched the Multi-Protocol Label Switching Virtual Private Networking (RD-MPLS VPN) System for Rural Development Department on virtual platform.

Speaking on the occasion after launching the system, the Chief Minister said that this networking system will provide internal connectivity to the offices of the department at local level, where internet connectivity is inadequate.

The Rural Development department, which has the mandate for rural infrastructure development, is connecting its 247 offices through its own networking system called RD MPLS Network.

Through this network, all offices starting from Lokseva Bhawan to Sub-Divisions will be connected in one network with uninterrupted internet facility.

The chief minister expressed happiness over the RD Department’s efforts to strengthen the Five T Initiative of the Government to bring about transformative changes by introducing technology intensive applications.

This network will facilitate the use of online web-based applications to be used at field levels and further the 5T Initiative of the Department in bringing transparency, effective monitoring and grievance redressal.

The chief minister further said that the RD Department is already implementing web-based applications for an array of services including Tendering, Maintenance Management, Works and Accounts Management, Financial Management, grievance redressal and several other services.

Lauding the endeavour of the Department for making end to end automation in the whole tendering process, he said that this will avoid human interface and thus bring in more efficiency and transparency in the management of the entire work cycle.

Describing the importance of RD Department the CM hoped that the Department will work more dedicatedly and efficiently with the application of these technologies to serve the people better.

He advised the department to ensure that the 5T principle of “time” is given priority and all the projects are closely monitored and completed within time lines with a sense of urgency.

He expressed confidence that with the help of these technologies, the department will be able to closely monitor the progress of the projects.

It may be mentioned here that the RD Department has developed infrastructure facilities with over 1 lakh kilometres of rural roads, facilities on 60 lakh square metres of area, 1400 completed bridges and 600 bridges under construction.

The system will help closely monitor the progress and maintenance of these infrastructure.

Speaking on the occasion Rural Development minister Sushant Singh said that the department is working committedly to improve the rural infrastructure following the vision of the chief minister.

The new networking system will further the mandate of Five T Initiative, he added.

Secretary to chief minister 5T Shri V. K. Pandian moderated the programme.

Development commissioner P. K. Jena gave the welcome address and the EIC, RD offered the vote of thanks.

Among others, chief decretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, ACS Forest, Dr. Mona Sharma, secretary Electronics & IT Manoj Mishra and CGM BSNL were present. RD officials at district level were connected on virtual mode.