(1) Name of Project/Initiative Common Service Center

(2) Details of Implementing Agency

Name SREI Sahaj e Village Limited

City Kolkata
State West Bengal
Country India

(3) Answer :

(a) About the programme/project/initiative:

Srei-Sahaj e-Village Ltd is an entity set up for the establishment of a network of efficient
distribution / delivery channel called Common Services Centres (CSCs) in rural areas of 6 States
viz Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal for delivering various
services, information and programmes, etc of the Government to the citizens, and customers of
interested service providers including collection of utilities through these CSCs under the
National e-Governance Plan announced by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India on 15th August, 2005. In the recent past State Designated Agencies set up under the
National e-Governance Plan in the States of Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal have accepted Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited to be a Service Centre Agency
for delivering various government and business services and information to the citizenry of rural
areas of those States through CSCs to be set up at the Gram Panchayat level. Accordingly, in the
mean time, Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd has signed Master Service Agreements with the State
Designated Agencies. (SDA) of those States for the stated purpose and incorporated the Special
Purpose Company “Srei- Sahaj e-Village Limited” for the purpose of setting up, operating and
managing mandated 29000 plus CSCs in those six States. About 20000 CSCs have already been
established in the rural areas at the Gram Panchayat level, providing a single-window, one stop
shop to meet the citizen’s needs, under the Private-Public- Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This
makes sure that all the villagers obtain all services that their urban counterparts are already
familiar with. It is also an employment-generation arrangement that gives a full-time job to the
person running a CSC. In this process the unemployment problem of the country also gets
addressed to a large extent. Out of the total 29000 plus CSCs, Srei Sahaj e- Village Limited has
got the mandate to set up, run and manage 2833 CSCs in Assam, 5565 Centres in Bihar, 3648
CSCs in Orissa, 1045 CSCs in Tamilnadu, 8118 Centres in Uttar Pradesh and 6797 CSCs in the
State of West Bengal. Apart from the above, Srei Sahaj has entered into an agreement with J&K
Bank to provide consultancy service to the J&K Bank in setting up 1106 CSCs in the State of
Jammu & Kashmir. SREI-Sahaj has already resolved innumerable obstacles and accomplished
numerous milestones in a very short span. Srei Sahaj Common Services Centres are known in
different names in different States. In Assam they are known as “Sahaj Arunodoi Kendra”, they
are “Sahaj Vasudha Kendra” in Orissa, they are recognized as “Sahaj Jana Seba Kendra in
Bihar”, in Tamilnadu they are regarded as “Sahaj Pudhu Sevai Maiyamm”, in Uttar Pradesh they
are “Sahaj Janseva Kendra”, and in West Bengal they are called “Sahaj Tathya Mitra Kendra”.

(b) Date from which the project

1/8/2007
became operational

(c) Is the project still operational? still_operational

(d) How is the programme/project innovative?

Srei Sahaj e-Village Ltd, a subsidiary of Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited, has taken up the
task of eliminating the undemocratic digital split between rural and urban India, under the NeGP
of the Government of India. Srei-Sahaj has a unique business model. A CSC is operated by a
Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE). This makes sure that all the villagers obtain all services that
their urban counterparts are already familiar with. It is also an employment- generation
arrangement that gives a full-time job to the VLE. In this process the unemployment problem of
the country also gets addressed to a large extent. The core idea is to develop a podium that would
enable Government, private and social sector organizations to assimilate their social and
commercial goals for the advantage of the rural population in the furthest areas of the country
through a blend of IT and non-IT services. In other words, Srei Sahaj’s mission is to roll out one
of the largest digital networks not only in this country but also catering to the expanding base of
customers living in the remotest corners of the world by bringing efficient financial and
humanitarian services and products to all of them. Srei Sahaj dreams to evolve as an organization
where rural India would turn out to be synonymous with the Srei-Sahaj endeavors, enterprises,
efforts, and achievements. Srei Sahaj thrives to get mingled with the rural life of this country in
such a manner that whenever people would think of rural India the name that would come into
their mind is Srei Sahaj; when the rural consumers, and disadvantaged people would need
something the first door they would knock at is Srei Sahaj’s; and when the rural youth, the
zealous aspirants would dream something apparently unattainable the first friend they would get
in touch with to share this dream is Srei-Sahaj, since we at Srei-Sahaj dare to make impossible
come true. Sahaj has a unique revenue earning potential for its associates. In other words, Srei-
Sahaj combines social message with the possibility of product selling and earning revenues.
Below is the USP or unique selling point of Srei-Sahaj that keeps us ahead of our contenders.
playing a little bit with the term USP it could well be said that Sahaj is the universal sustenance
platform (USP) for entrepreneurs of different categories and for all those who are
underprivileged and uncared for but have the passion to make it happen by taking the world in
their stride. • Sahaj offers connectivity and opportunity for digital information services where
none existed. Thus it gives access to millions of rural population. • Sahaj is the FIRST to offer to
digital publicity opportunity in the rural areas. • Sahaj has a network which is backed by internet
connectivity, financials and a physical presence in form of 20000 franchisees.

(e) What are the achievements of the programme/project?

Sahaj has delved into Infrastructural Development pertaining to set up, operate & manage as
many as 29000 CSCs across seven states. Till date Srei-Sahaj has rolled out 20000 plus CSCs
across the 6 Sahaj states (the services in Jammu and Kashmir would start soon). We have started
offering a 27 services, including digital photography, digital videography, NREGA photograph,
NREGA data collection, government form submission, information regarding electoral
processes- addition and deletion, date entry (LA and LR), DTP, ROR, Internet, death certificate,
birth certificate, property tax payment, agricultural soil testing, agricultural diagnosis, e-
Learning, electric bill collection (WBSEDCL), BSNL bill collection, mobile top ups, railway
reservation, LIC premium collection, advertising, job portal, gas booking, and examination
results, referrals etc. it aims at the highest ideals of integrated service provider and being the first,
the last and the most reliable point of delivery of key products and services to the rural citizens.
More evidently, Srei Sahaj aims to be envisioned as the front-end delivery point for services be it
governmental, private or social to the rural citizens of India. This customer base, though
fundamentally catered to the requirements rural mass of the country, would also spread out to
include urban citizens and ultimately target the international consumers. It aims to bridge not
only the digital divide but also achieving a narrowing of the ‘delivery gap’ among government,
commercial and social services.

(f) Elaborate on the challenges faced while implementing programme/project/ initiative and
how was it overcome?
Developing countries needs to be pro-active and enterprising for being in digital loop. In order to
ensure that e-governance brings about required transformations in government and businesses, all
the processes need to be better understood and simplified by all stake holders. Arriving at broad
consensus among government officers, politicians and private sector. Human Resources
Development for changing mind set of Government Staff. Establish proper mechanism for
monitoring and evaluation of the projects Proper use of publicity material and means helps in
proper awareness about the new projects

(g) How can the programme serve as a model that can be replicated or adapted by others?
Integration of various on-going initiatives of ICTs in general and e-governance in developing
countries for coherence and synergy. Building appropriate content: effort in understanding needs
and delivery in local language and dialects. Introduction of computer education and working on
virtual classrooms to facilitate the children of far flung areas. Few Successful e-governance
Projects: CARD -Registration of property deeds in Andhra Pradesh • Akshya Kendra in Kerala
for delivery of services in rural villages/towns • GYANDOOT: Community Owned Kiosks •
Bhoomi/TamilNilam – on line system for delivery of RTC and updation of Land Records in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. • Tax collection State Border Check Posts, Gujarat • STAMINA -
Sales Tax Administration Management System • Cause List and Case Law online. • Passport
Information System-online processing of passports. • Community Information Centres (CIC) for
facilitating citizen services in 487 blocks on N- E States.

(h) Elaborate on the scalability of the programme/project/initiative.

Our mission is to create the largest network by 2012 that would access 500 million people. The
core idea is to develop a podium that would enable Government, private and social sector
organizations to assimilate their social and commercial goals for the advantage of the rural
population in the furthest areas of the country through a blend of IT and non-IT services. In other
words, Srei Sahaj’s mission is to roll out one of the largest digital networks not only in this
country but also catering to the expanding base of customers living in the remotest corners of the
world by bringing efficient financial and humanitarian services and products to all of them. Sahaj
has a unique revenue earning potential for its associates. In other words, Srei-Sahaj combines
social message with the possibility of product selling and earning revenues. Below is the USP or
unique selling point of Srei-Sahaj that keeps us ahead of our contenders. playing a little bit with
the term USP it could well be said that Sahaj is the universal sustenance platform (USP) for
entrepreneurs of different categories and for all those who are underprivileged and uncared for
but have the passion to make it happen by taking the world in their stride. • Sahaj offers
connectivity and opportunity for digital information services where none existed. Thus it gives
access to millions of rural population. • Sahaj is the FIRST to offer to digital publicity
opportunity in the rural areas. • Sahaj has a network which is backed by internet connectivity,
financials and a physical presence in form of 20000 franchisees Successful Implementation of
PURA project in SIVANAGA District of Tamilnadu and RAIBAREILLY of
UTTARPRADESH. having tie up with IGNOU, Microsoft, and SAHAJ ACADEMY e
Education through Sahaj CSC for create awareness on various Computer Courses. Sale and
Premium collection Insurance products through SAHAJ CSC for the benefits of BPL and APL of
Rural Villagers. Institutional sale like TVS M etc through our CSC. Our CSC can be acted as
Banking Correspondent which enable the rural people utilizing our CSC as MANNED ATM.
Villagers can male their BSNL WLL/ Landline and Mobile payment through our CSC instaed
going to their Counter. Sahaj can be nodal agency for identifying, training, motivating and
providing placements for rural people under the MoRD and Identifying, training, motivating and
marketing skilled Artisans in order to provide them sustainable livelihood under MoT. Sahaj has
Academy center for training the BPL, APL, Skilled and Un skilled people for sustainable
livelihood.

Srei Sahaj e-Village Ltd, a subsidiary of Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited, has taken up the task of eliminating the
undemocratic digital split between rural and urban India, under the NeGP of the Government of India.

Srei-Sahaj has a unique business model. A CSC is operated by a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE). This makes sure
that all the villagers obtain all services that their urban counterparts are already familiar with. It is also an
employment-generation arrangement that gives a full-time job to the VLE. In this process the unemployment problem
of the country also gets addressed to a large extent.

Till date Srei Sahaj has 12,000 rolled out CSCs all across the 6 Sahaj states (the services in Jammu and Kashmir
would start soon). Moreover, we have started offering a striking number of services, to be precise, 27 services
through our CSCs.

The 6797 CSCs in West Bengal, are on the verge of completion. 5565 in Bihar, 8118 CSCs in Uttar Pradesh, 1045 in
Tamil Nadu, 3648 in Orissa and 2833 in Assam are scheduled to be completed soon. Srei Sahaj has already
resolved innumerable obstacles and accomplished numerous milestones in a very short time.

Sahaj has delved into Infrastructural Development pertaining to set up, operate & manage as many as 27000 CSCs
across seven states. In the year of 2008-2009 SSEVL implemented state-of-the-art Data Center & Data Recover
Centre in Kolkata. SSEVL tied up with Industry Connoisseurs like Wipro, Oracle, Intel, Samsung, HP, Kodak,
Hughes, Tatanet, Airtel, Microsoft etc.In each CSC SSEVL is providing IT Hardware equipment like Laptop,
Accessories, Multi-Functional Device, Hi-Speed Digital Camera, DG Set, UPS. Connectivity is provided through
VSATs and SSEVL has partnered with Industry giants like Hughes, Tatanet & Airtel for providing VSATs. Till date
SSEVL has procured more than 5217 VSATs
(1) Name of Project/Initiative National e governance plan

(2) Details of Implementing Agency

Name SREI Sahaj e Village Ltd

City Kolkata
State West Bengal
Country India

(3) Answer :

(a) About the programme/project/initiative:

Srei-Sahaj e-Village Ltd is an entity set up for the establishment of a network of efficient
distribution / delivery channel called Common Services Centres (CSCs) in rural areas of 6 States
viz Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal for delivering various
services, information and programmes, etc of the Government to the citizens, and customers of
interested service providers including collection of utilities through these CSCs under the
National e-Governance Plan announced by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India on 15th August, 2005. In the recent past State Designated Agencies set up under the
National e-Governance Plan in the States of Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal have accepted Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited to be a Service Centre Agency
for delivering various government and business services and information to the citizenry of rural
areas of those States through CSCs to be set up at the Gram Panchayat level. Accordingly, in the
mean time, Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd has signed Master Service Agreements with the State
Designated Agencies. (SDA) of those States for the stated purpose and incorporated the Special
Purpose Company “Srei- Sahaj e-Village Limited” for the purpose of setting up, operating and
managing mandated 29000 plus CSCs in those six States. About 20000 CSCs have already been
established in the rural areas at the Gram Panchayat level, providing a single-window, one stop
shop to meet the citizen’s needs, under the Private-Public- Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This
makes sure that all the villagers obtain all services that their urban counterparts are already
familiar with. It is also an employment-generation arrangement that gives a full-time job to the
person running a CSC. In this process the unemployment problem of the country also gets
addressed to a large extent. Out of the total 29000 plus CSCs, Srei Sahaj e- Village Limited has
got the mandate to set up, run and manage 2833 CSCs in Assam, 5565 Centres in Bihar, 3648
CSCs in Orissa, 1045 CSCs in Tamilnadu, 8118 Centres in Uttar Pradesh and 6797 CSCs in the
State of West Bengal. Apart from the above, Srei Sahaj has entered into an agreement with J&K
Bank to provide consultancy service to the J&K Bank in setting up 1106 CSCs in the State of
Jammu & Kashmir. SREI-Sahaj has already resolved innumerable obstacles and accomplished
numerous milestones in a very short span. Srei Sahaj Common Services Centres are known in
different names in different States. In Assam they are known as “Sahaj Arunodoi Kendra”, they
are “Sahaj Vasudha Kendra” in Orissa, they are recognized as “Sahaj Jana Seba Kendra in
Bihar”, in Tamilnadu they are regarded as “Sahaj Pudhu Sevai Maiyamm”, in Uttar Pradesh they
are “Sahaj Janseva Kendra”, and in West Bengal they are called “Sahaj Tathya Mitra Kendra”.

(b) Date from which the project

1/8/2007
became operational

(c) Is the project still operational? still_operational

(d) How is the programme/project innovative?

Srei Sahaj e-Village Ltd, a subsidiary of Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited, has taken up the
task of eliminating the undemocratic digital split between rural and urban India, under the NeGP
of the Government of India. Srei-Sahaj has a unique business model. A CSC is operated by a
Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE). This makes sure that all the villagers obtain all services that
their urban counterparts are already familiar with. It is also an employment- generation
arrangement that gives a full-time job to the VLE. In this process the unemployment problem of
the country also gets addressed to a large extent. The core idea is to develop a podium that would
enable Government, private and social sector organizations to assimilate their social and
commercial goals for the advantage of the rural population in the furthest areas of the country
through a blend of IT and non-IT services. In other words, Srei Sahaj’s mission is to roll out one
of the largest digital networks not only in this country but also catering to the expanding base of
customers living in the remotest corners of the world by bringing efficient financial and
humanitarian services and products to all of them. Srei Sahaj dreams to evolve as an organization
where rural India would turn out to be synonymous with the Srei-Sahaj endeavors, enterprises,
efforts, and achievements. Srei Sahaj thrives to get mingled with the rural life of this country in
such a manner that whenever people would think of rural India the name that would come into
their mind is Srei Sahaj; when the rural consumers, and disadvantaged people would need
something the first door they would knock at is Srei Sahaj’s; and when the rural youth, the
zealous aspirants would dream something apparently unattainable the first friend they would get
in touch with to share this dream is Srei-Sahaj, since we at Srei-Sahaj dare to make impossible
come true. Sahaj has a unique revenue earning potential for its associates. In other words, Srei-
Sahaj combines social message with the possibility of product selling and earning revenues.
Below is the USP or unique selling point of Srei-Sahaj that keeps us ahead of our contenders.
playing a little bit with the term USP it could well be said that Sahaj is the universal sustenance
platform (USP) for entrepreneurs of different categories and for all those who are
underprivileged and uncared for but have the passion to make it happen by taking the world in
their stride. • Sahaj offers connectivity and opportunity for digital information services where
none existed. Thus it gives access to millions of rural population. • Sahaj is the FIRST to offer to
digital publicity opportunity in the rural areas. • Sahaj has a network which is backed by internet
connectivity, financials and a physical presence in form of 20000 franchisees.

(e) What are the achievements of the programme/project?

SAHAJ- IGNOU offers the following courses: Diploma in advance computing Certificate in
HTML Certificate in Java script Certificate in SQL Certificate in Flash Animation SAHAJ
ACADEMY COURSES: Basic Computer Course Job Trainer (Spoken English) Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Package Typo Lesson
Interview Etiquettes

(f) Elaborate on the challenges faced while implementing programme/project/ initiative and
how was it overcome?
Developing countries needs to be pro-active and enterprising for being in digital loop. In order to
ensure that e-governance brings about required transformations in government and businesses, all
the processes need to be better understood and simplified by all stake holders. Arriving at broad
consensus among government officers, politicians and private sector. Human Resources
Development for changing mind set of Government Staff. Establish proper mechanism for
monitoring and evaluation of the projects Proper use of publicity material and means helps in
proper awareness about the new projects. IGNOU being a Governmenmt body and an Education
Council, it was very difficult to integrate e- learning modules with theri educational forms. As a
statute they had a lot of restrictions and legalities to comply with. But with prolonged
discussionsand meetings we have been able to formulate a programme moduke which will meet
their legal compliances and meet the standatrd of expectations as well. Currently the corrigendum
includes: Online Enrollment Online Course completion Online Exam Online Certification

(g) How can the programme serve as a model that can be replicated or adapted by others?
Integration of various on-going initiatives of ICTs in general and e-governance in developing
countries for coherence and synergy. Building appropriate content: effort in understanding needs
and delivery in local language and dialects. Introduction of computer education and working on
virtual classrooms to facilitate the children of far flung areas. Few Successful e-governance
Projects: CARD -Registration of property deeds in Andhra Pradesh • Akshya Kendra in Kerala
for delivery of services in rural villages/towns • GYANDOOT: Community Owned Kiosks •
Bhoomi/TamilNilam – on line system for delivery of RTC and updation of Land Records in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. • Tax collection State Border Check Posts, Gujarat • STAMINA -
Sales Tax Administration Management System • Cause List and Case Law online. • Passport
Information System-online processing of passports. • Community Information Centres (CIC) for
facilitating citizen services in 487 blocks on N- E States.

(h) Elaborate on the scalability of the programme/project/initiative.

Sahaj-IGNOU tie-up has emerged to be a platform for delivering innovative and transformational
learning experiences. The vast movement towards e-learning through Sahaj-IGNOU partnership
is clearly motivated by the many benefits that the initiative offers. ♣ Offers Recognized
Qualifications: The initiative offers e-learning program that are recognized by IGNOU, the
largest Open University offers distance learning programs. Education provided is at par with
recognized universities around the globe. ♣ Interactive learning system: The initiative deliver
learning that allows in-depth user interactivity and assures that the learner will not only
remember the lessons but will also understand it to the extent of implementing it effectively in
his career in the future times. It is only after a learner implements his learning correctly, could he
move to the next level, thereby allowing for usability and effectiveness. ♣ Reduced Overall Cost:
One of the most prominent aspects governing the efficacy of SAHAJ-IGNOU COURSES is
reduced factors of ETWLS. Unlike instructor-led learning or paper-based communication, the
costs of the programmes offered by the initiative are relatively low. ♣ Designed to Create Job
Opportunities: With expert education and knowledge management systems, SAHAJ-IGNOU
COURSES strives to provide quality jobs and livelihood opportunities to the learner without the
hassles of relocation. Job opportunity is supported by Chaakri.in, Sahaj’s job portal dedicated
solely to the rural population of India. ♣ Flexibility to Pay Fee: The initiative allows you to pay
the course fee in easy installments, thereby offering flexibility of payment. ♣ Minimum
Qualification: SAHAJ-IGNOU COURSES requires minimum qualification. To enroll in the
qualification, a learner simply needs to be Class Xth pass. Through Sahaj-IGNOU’s path
breaking initiative the global learning community is at the fingertips of the learner. The
technologies that SAHAJ-IGNOU COURSES uses to deliver learning introduce the learners to
resources that they might never see in a traditional classroom. With tremendous explosion in the
use of online resources as knowledge sharing and delivering platform, SAHAJ-IGNOU
COURSES will become a norm than an exception in the times to come. It is not ambiguous that
SAHAJ-IGNOU COURSES will be perceived as a sustainable platform for delivery knowledge,
while it continues to transform learning, education and training.