Tag: e-Governance India

TechPulse

DITE&C Signs MoU with Starlink to Boost Digital Connectivity, Disaster Resilience and Smart Governance in Goa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, 21 January 2026: In a major move to strengthen digital infrastructure and connectivity across Goa, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited to explore advanced satellite-based connectivity solutions across the state.


The partnership aims to support digital inclusion, enhance public infrastructure, improve coastal safety and strengthen emergency response capabilities, particularly in areas with limited or no access to terrestrial internet networks.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Rohan Khaunte, Chief Secretary Dr V. Candavelou, IAS, Director of DITE&C Kabir Shirgaonkar, OSD to the Minister Neville Noronha, senior state government officials, and Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India, representing Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited.

Speaking on the occasion, “The Government of Goa is committed to harnessing technology to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of our citizens. This partnership with Starlink is a significant step towards achieving our vision of a digitally empowered Goa,” said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.

Highlighting the impact of the collaboration, “This partnership with Starlink will transform Goa’s governance landscape by leveraging modern technology to drive efficiency and responsiveness. By bridging the digital divide and enhancing public services, we will make Goa an even more attractive hub for investment, tourism and talent, while ensuring that citizens reap the benefits of digital progress,” said IT Minister Rohan Khaunte.

Under the MoU, DITE&C and Starlink will explore opportunities in digital connectivity, disaster resilience and smart governance across Goa, including pilot initiatives to provide satellite broadband connectivity to government schools, healthcare facilities and disaster management centres located in regions with limited terrestrial network coverage.

The collaboration will also focus on enhancing emergency preparedness, building institutional capacity through training programmes, exploring affordable tariff structures for socially beneficial use cases, and supporting smart governance, tourism and coastal development by enabling reliable connectivity for public infrastructure and services.

This partnership reinforces the Government of Goa’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation, economic development and citizen welfare, while laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem across the state.

TechPulse

Over 11 Lakh Services Delivered Online: How Goa Made Governance Effortless

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The COVID-19 pandemic underscored a pressing reality for governments worldwide—the need for efficient, contactless, and accessible public services. In Goa, this urgency propelled GoaOnline from a functional e-Governance platform into the state’s digital backbone for citizen services.

Although GoaOnline existed before the pandemic, the crisis accelerated its adoption and expanded its scope. Designed as a single-window digital platform, GoaOnline allows citizens to access government services anytime, anywhere—eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices. From application submission to final service delivery, the entire process is conducted online, ensuring transparency and convenience.

To date, the platform has processed nearly 19.9 lakh service requests, with over 9 lakh citizens completing more than 11 lakh digital transactions. These numbers firmly position GoaOnline as a national benchmark in citizen-centric governance.

GoaOnline currently offers over 265 e-services across 41 government departments. These include essential services such as income and caste certificates, labour welfare scheme registrations, health-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and various utility services—covering almost every major citizen requirement.

Recognising that digital access must be inclusive, the Goa government introduced Gramin Mitras, who provide door-to-door assistance, especially in rural and senior citizen communities. For residents like Sheetal Malik from Sankhali, this initiative has been life-changing. Unable to walk to government offices, she received doorstep assistance to obtain her Life Certificate. “The experience was good, and I felt supported,” she shared.

Behind the scenes, GoaOnline is powered by integrated backend systems across departments. This integration eliminates data duplication, reduces processing time, and improves service accuracy. Citizens can track applications in real-time, upload and verify documents digitally, while departmental dashboards enable effective monitoring and governance.

The initiative has gained momentum under the leadership of Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, who emphasised its larger vision. “GoaOnline is not just a portal—it’s a promise of efficient governance, where technology bridges the gap between citizens and the state,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, the platform is evolving further. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) is working on mobile-first upgrades, chatbot support, and AI-driven features to help citizens quickly identify relevant services—enhancing user experience and expanding digital inclusion.

By blending technology with a citizen-first mindset and strong interdepartmental coordination, Goa has redefined how governance can function in a digital era. GoaOnline is more than a portal—it represents a systemic shift toward effortless, inclusive, and transparent governance in a digitally empowered India.