Amidst huge propaganda and media hype, Dr. Sam
Pitroda with Cabinet Minister status was
appointed as Technology Advisor in
January 2016. The State Government left no stone unturned taking credit
by appointing Dr. Pitroda, a man
of international repute as Technology
Advisor. As I recall, it generated much enthusiasm and expectation among
different section of the people
believing that his expertise and long experience in the field of communication and IT will give a lot of benefit to the state. Out of curiosity to know
about his performance and
contribution in the field of
IT for the state since last eight months, I had filed two RTI Application to the Department of Electronics and Information Technology
seeking information about details of
appointment, Terms of Reference with Dr. Pitroda and any report/ advice given by him
to State Govt. etc. . The details of information provided by the PIO on 19.8.16 and
26.9.16 is as follows.
Pitroda with Cabinet Minister status was
appointed as Technology Advisor in
January 2016. The State Government left no stone unturned taking credit
by appointing Dr. Pitroda, a man
of international repute as Technology
Advisor. As I recall, it generated much enthusiasm and expectation among
different section of the people
believing that his expertise and long experience in the field of communication and IT will give a lot of benefit to the state. Out of curiosity to know
about his performance and
contribution in the field of
IT for the state since last eight months, I had filed two RTI Application to the Department of Electronics and Information Technology
seeking information about details of
appointment, Terms of Reference with Dr. Pitroda and any report/ advice given by him
to State Govt. etc. . The details of information provided by the PIO on 19.8.16 and
26.9.16 is as follows.
1. The
Justification given by the State
Govt. in respect of Dr.
Pitroda’s appointment as Technology
Advisor is that In view of his
domain expertise and long association in
the field of communication and IT, the
State Govt. took this decision
as it will be beneficial for the state
( reference-
copy of file noting).
Justification given by the State
Govt. in respect of Dr.
Pitroda’s appointment as Technology
Advisor is that In view of his
domain expertise and long association in
the field of communication and IT, the
State Govt. took this decision
as it will be beneficial for the state
( reference-
copy of file noting).
2. TOR signed
with Dr. Pitroda is as follows.
with Dr. Pitroda is as follows.
i. He was
appointed for three years and will be
extended subsequently.
appointed for three years and will be
extended subsequently.
ii. He will advise the Government for formulation of
the strategies and policies to be
adopted for development of IT/IES/ESDM sector in the state.
the strategies and policies to be
adopted for development of IT/IES/ESDM sector in the state.
iii. He
will review the progress achieved in development of IT sector
in the state.
will review the progress achieved in development of IT sector
in the state.
iv. Resource on advocacy to attract
national and foreign
investment shall be considered by Govt. of Odisha.
national and foreign
investment shall be considered by Govt. of Odisha.
v. No
salary, insurance and remuneration shall
be paid to Sri Pitroda during his period of service
salary, insurance and remuneration shall
be paid to Sri Pitroda during his period of service
vi. The expenses towards
travel and accommodation for his visit
to Odisha from New Delhi shall be borne by Government of Odisha
travel and accommodation for his visit
to Odisha from New Delhi shall be borne by Government of Odisha
3. On query
about any report
or document produced by Dr.
Pitroda, the PIO has
provided just a copy of power
point presentation ( 15 slide) about his
proposed programme which was made
in January at the time of his
appointment. Within last 8 months, Dr.
Pitroda has not provided any report
to the State Govt. about his
intervention or work assigned as per TOR.
about any report
or document produced by Dr.
Pitroda, the PIO has
provided just a copy of power
point presentation ( 15 slide) about his
proposed programme which was made
in January at the time of his
appointment. Within last 8 months, Dr.
Pitroda has not provided any report
to the State Govt. about his
intervention or work assigned as per TOR.
4. Dr.
Pitroda has not visited Odisha since his joining as Technology Advisor. That’s why he has not produced his travel Bill
for reimbursement.
Pitroda has not visited Odisha since his joining as Technology Advisor. That’s why he has not produced his travel Bill
for reimbursement.
Comments
1. Dr.
Pitroda might be satisfied with
cabinet minister status and
getting benefit using this status
without contributing
anything for our beloved state within 8 months.
Pitroda might be satisfied with
cabinet minister status and
getting benefit using this status
without contributing
anything for our beloved state within 8 months.
2. It will be advisable on part of State Govt. to fix remuneration and price for him
against the work assigned to him
as per TOR. So that accountability will be fixed and the State Govt. can monitor
his performance.
against the work assigned to him
as per TOR. So that accountability will be fixed and the State Govt. can monitor
his performance.
3. If
this practice continues, it will no
way give any benefit to the IT sector of
the state.
this practice continues, it will no
way give any benefit to the IT sector of
the state.
Pradip Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date- 26.9.16
