TN tops web presence
By Ria Sharma

Even as the Government of India accelerates the computerization of every office and hires private sector managers like Nandan Nilekani to run the UID Project, it has set up the Web Ratna Awards to honour the best e-Governance initiatives in the country.

On April 19, 2010, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Thiru A Raja, in the presence of his Minister of State, Sachin Pilot, presented the Web Ratna Awards to government servants.

While, like in the private sector, there were awards for Best Design, Content, Innovative Use of Technology, there were also categories for ‘Best National Coordinator’. Presumably,  a Government committee wanted to give due recognition to senior managers as well.  This time 3 IAS officers swept the Best National Coordinator category

Web Ratna Awards 2009 Categories

Citizen Centric Services
Platinum Icon:- Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry System
Gold Icon:- HIMPOL (Himachal Pradesh Police on Web)
Silver Icon:- Bangalore One (Integrated Citizen Services Portal)

Public Participation Initiative
Platinum Icon:- CIC Online (Filling of Appeal & Complaints online with CIC)
Gold Icon:- SANJOG Helpline (Integrated Grievance Redressal System)
Silver Icon:- Ideas for CM (Open Opportunity for the Civil Society)

Outstanding Web Content
Platinum Icon:- E-Press Publisher (Press Information Bureau)
Gold Icon:- India Post
Silver Icon:- Gujarat Tourism

Innovative Use of Technology
Platinum Icon:- Indian Tsunami Early Warning System
Gold Icon:- The m-Governance Mantra
Silver Icon:- Justice through ICT (Video Conferencing between Court & Jail)

Comprehensive Web Presence - Ministry/Department
Platinum Icon:- Department of Economic Affairs
Gold Icon:- Rajya Sabha
Silver Icon:- Ministry of Rural Development

Comprehensive Web Presence - State
Platinum Icon:- Tamil Nadu
Gold Icon:- Himachal Pradesh
Silver Icon:- Chandigarh

National Portal Coordinator
Platinum Icon:- A.K.Srivastava, IAS
Gold Icon:- Sanjay Kumar, IAS
Silver Icon:- Shaliesh Kumar Singh, IAS

NIC Coordinator of the National Portal
Platinum Icon:- Sanjay Hardikar (NIC Madhya Pradesh State Unit)
Gold Icon:- Ajay Chahal (NIC Himachal Pradesh State Unit)
Silver Icon:- Vivek Verma (NIC Chandigarh