Tag: government services

Social

CSCs Bring Governance to Goa’s Doorstep

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Across the coastal villages and inland communities of Goa, Common Service Centres are quietly reshaping how citizens interact with government systems. For many residents, especially in rural areas, accessing official documents or welfare schemes once meant repeated visits to distant offices, long waiting times, and uncertainty. Today, CSCs are changing that experience by placing essential services right within village panchayats, making governance more approachable and efficient.

The CSC initiative in Goa draws strength from the national Digital India Programme launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Recognising the unique needs of local communities, the state government adapted this framework through the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa. This adaptation ensures that digital governance is not just technologically sound but also socially inclusive and locally relevant.

At the heart of this system are the Village Level Entrepreneurs, or VLEs, who serve as the human interface between citizens and digital services. These local entrepreneurs play a critical role by guiding residents through online processes, assisting those unfamiliar with digital platforms, and ensuring that services remain accessible to everyone, regardless of age or digital literacy. Their presence adds trust and reassurance, turning technology into a supportive tool rather than a barrier.

The growing usage of CSCs reflects the trust citizens are placing in these centres. Between 1st April 2025 and 10th September 2025, over 30,000 transactions were successfully completed through 351 active VLEs operating across 191 village panchayats. With registered CSCs already functioning and additional centres in the pipeline, the network continues to expand, extending its reach to more communities across the state.

CSCs offer a wide range of services designed around everyday needs. Citizens can apply for Aadhaar and PAN cards, obtain birth and marriage certificates, access land records, apply for licenses, and seek pension-related assistance, all at a single, familiar location. This consolidation of services not only saves time but also reduces the stress often associated with navigating complex administrative systems.

Goa’s CSC initiative stands as a strong example of how technology, when combined with responsive governance and community participation, can transform public service delivery. By making services local, transparent, and user-friendly, CSCs are helping bridge the digital divide, strengthening trust in institutions, and ensuring that governance truly reaches every citizen’s doorstep.

TechPulse

GoaOnline Crosses 9.34 Lakh Digital Service Deliveries, Reinforcing Citizen-First Governance

allycaralgoa

Panaji, June 2025: Goa’s commitment to accessible, transparent, and efficient governance has found a powerful expression in GoaOnline, the state’s unified digital services platform. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) is driving Goa’s digital transformation through GoaOnline, a unified platform that brings government services to citizens’ fingertips

As of June 2025, GoaOnline has processed over 9.34 lakh service requests across more than 30 departments, marking a clear shift to digital-first governance. With 200+ services digitized, citizens can now apply for certificates, licenses, and permits online, significantly reducing the need for physical visits.

Among the top-performing departments includes:

  • Revenue Department: 4.45 lakh applications completed, primarily for income and caste certificates.
  • Labour & Employment: 3.16 lakh successfully processed applications for labour registrations, licenses, and welfare services
  • GIDC: 75,800 digital services delivered, including land allotment, NOCs, and business permissions
  • Health Services: Over 36,300 online completions for birth/death certificates and medical NOCs

These figures represent completed service transactions, highlighting both the scale of adoption and the successful delivery of services across departments.

Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for ITE&C, has consistently emphasized the importance of technology as an enabler of transparency, speed, and citizen empowerment. Under his leadership, DITE&C has not only scaled digital service delivery but has also pushed for local innovation, interoperability, and integration of backend processes across departments.

“GoaOnline is not just a portal—it’s a promise of efficient governance, where technology bridges the gap between citizens and the state,” said the Minister during a recent interaction.

To ensure last-mile access, Gramin Mitra extends GoaOnline to rural households, delivering services like certificates and subsidies directly to citizens’ doorsteps.

The data speaks volumes: With 9.34 lakh applications processed out of 9.54 lakh applications received and a strong focus on transparency and compliance, Goa is emerging as a national model for digital governance

The Department of ITE&C continues to innovate, with upcoming plans to expand service categories, launch mobile accessibility features, and integrate emerging technologies like AI-based service recommendations and chatbot support.

Goa is not just catching up—it’s leading India’s digital governance movement. With GoaOnline, the state has shown that even the smallest state can set the biggest benchmarks.

Human Interest

New PAN Card Applications to Require Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication from July 1, 2025

allycaralgoa

Date: June 2025

In a significant move to streamline financial services and enhance the integrity of the taxation system, the Government of India has announced that, starting from July 1, 2025, obtaining a new Permanent Account Number (PAN) card will require mandatory Aadhaar authentication. This new directive is set to simplify the process of PAN card issuance and create a more secure and integrated framework for financial transactions across the country.

Why the Change?

The new rule comes as part of the government’s continued push to digitize and modernize the financial and tax systems. Linking Aadhaar with PAN is expected to reduce instances of identity fraud and tax evasion, making the entire process more transparent and secure. It also aims to eliminate the need for multiple documents when applying for a PAN card, as Aadhaar will serve as the primary identity verification.

By linking the Aadhaar number with the PAN, the government aims to ensure a seamless and unified identity system across multiple sectors, ranging from banking to taxation, and even government welfare schemes. This move is in line with the government’s larger vision of Digital India, where data integration and digital identity verification are key pillars.

What Does This Mean for Applicants?

As of July 1, every applicant for a new PAN card will need to complete an Aadhaar authentication process. This will involve the following steps:

  • Linking Aadhaar with PAN: Applicants will be required to link their Aadhaar number to their PAN during the application process. This can be done by entering the Aadhaar number on the official website of the Income Tax Department or at a designated PAN application center.
  • OTP-Based Authentication: Once the Aadhaar number is provided, an OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to the applicant’s registered mobile number linked with their Aadhaar. The OTP will be used for authentication, confirming the identity of the applicant.
  • Faster and Paperless Process: This integration will allow for a faster, more secure, and paperless process of applying for a PAN card. The Aadhaar database will serve as the primary point of reference for verifying the applicant’s identity, thus reducing delays associated with document verification.

Key Benefits of the Aadhaar-PAN Integration

  1. Enhanced Security: Linking Aadhaar with PAN will significantly reduce the risk of fraudulent activities, including multiple PANs being issued to a single individual, which could be used for illegal or unethical purposes.
  2. Reduced Tax Evasion: The move is aimed at reducing tax evasion, as it will be more difficult for individuals to hold multiple PAN cards under different names. It will also help the government track transactions more efficiently.
  3. Faster Processing: The application process will be much quicker, as there will be no need for physical document verification. The Aadhaar authentication will act as a reliable and instant proof of identity.
  4. Simplified Verification: Linking Aadhaar and PAN will simplify the verification process in several services, including opening bank accounts, filing taxes, and applying for loans or government schemes. It will also make it easier to ensure that welfare benefits reach the intended recipients.
  5. Better Government Service Delivery: The integration will lead to more efficient service delivery by ensuring that public services and welfare schemes are properly targeted and reach the right people.

Impact on Existing PAN Card Holders

For existing PAN card holders, the Aadhaar linking with PAN has been a requirement for some time. However, this new mandate will only impact those who are applying for a new PAN. If you are an existing PAN card holder and have already linked your Aadhaar number, no further action will be needed.

For those who have not yet linked their Aadhaar with PAN, the last date for linking remains March 31, 2025, after which the PAN may become inactive. In case you haven’t linked your Aadhaar with PAN, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible to avoid disruptions in financial transactions.

How to Link Aadhaar with PAN

  1. Online Method:
    • Visit the official website of the Income Tax Department.
    • Go to the ‘Link Aadhaar’ section under the ‘PAN Services’ tab.
    • Enter your PAN and Aadhaar details along with the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
    • Click ‘Submit’ to complete the linking process.
  2. Offline Method:
    • Visit a nearby PAN application center or Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
    • Submit your PAN card and Aadhaar details for manual verification.

Challenges and Concerns

While this new system promises to make the PAN card application process smoother and more secure, there are concerns regarding privacy and accessibility. Some citizens may face difficulties if their Aadhaar details are not up-to-date, or if their Aadhaar is linked to a mobile number that they no longer have access to.

The government has assured that necessary safeguards will be in place to protect privacy and data security. However, individuals who face issues during the Aadhaar authentication process will have access to support through official channels to resolve their concerns.

Conclusion

The mandatory Aadhaar authentication for new PAN card applications is a significant step in the government’s ongoing effort to modernize India’s financial and taxation systems. The move is expected to not only reduce the risk of fraud but also to bring about greater efficiency and transparency in financial transactions. While existing PAN cardholders have already been urged to link their Aadhaar, this new rule will help create a more secure and integrated digital identity system across the country.

Important Dates

  • July 1, 2025: Mandatory Aadhaar authentication for all new PAN card applications.
  • March 31, 2025: Last date to link Aadhaar with existing PAN cards.
TechPulse

GoaOnline Services Now Accessible via WhatsApp

allycaralgoa

Althino, March 15, 2025: The Government of Goa is enhancing citizen convenience by integrating GoaOnline services with WhatsApp. This initiative, led by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, will allow residents to access government documents, certificates, bills, payment receipts, and notifications effortlessly.

GoaOnline, the web-based platform, was initiated in 2017 under the guidance of Late Dr. Manohar Parrikar, with Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, IT Minister, actively supporting its development. This Online platform proved to a blessing to all Citizens specially during the pandemic. The new AI-assisted platform will further enhance their experience and access to 241 government services through Whatsapp.  

Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the state’s commitment to digital governance, stating, “We are dedicated to making government services more efficient and accessible—transitioning from manual processes to Web based platform called GoaOnline, then anytime, anywhere door step service delivery called Gramin Mitra and now bringing services directly to citizens’ fingertips via WhatsApp.”

Goa’s WhatsApp-based service aims to make governance truly citizen-centric and easily accessible, The Government of Goa is thus striving to offer a keyword-based system to help users navigate various services efficiently.With this integration, GoaOnline users can check the status of their applications, receive due date reminders, access service pre-requisites, and get step-by-step guidance and apply for all 241 services through WhatsApp.

This marks a significant leap in digital empowerment, ensuring public services are always within reach—from doorstep to fingertip.