Web Streaming of Video & Audio of Polling Stations for Elections in Punjab

Web Streaming and recording of video and audio of polling has been implemented by Punjab Infotech on behalf of O/o Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab for Vidhan Sabha, Lok Sabha, bye-poll elections as per ECI norms since 2012.

Webcasting is generally done in the vulnerable polling stations to keep a check on untoward activities, such as booth capturing, impersonation etc. and help bringing about complete transparency in the voting process. Punjab is the only State to initiate 100% Live streaming and webcasting of polling booths across the state of Punjab.

The activities that are performed as part of web streaming are:

a. First level checking of EVM machines

b. Surveillance by flying squad vehicles – Any violation of code of conduct is monitored by flying squad team at each assembly constituency

c. Polling – monitoring of activities in polling booths.

There has been up-gradation in the web-streaming technology with use of laptops/web camera in 2012 Vidhan Sabha & 2014 Lok Sabha Polls, Smartphones in 2017 Vidhan Sabha Polls, IP based CCTV cameras in 2019 & 4G cameras in 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections for web streaming.

The no. of polling stations covered in web streaming has also substantially increased from 200 polling stations in 2012, 440 polling stations in 2014, 3513 polling stations in 2017, 12107 polling stations in 2019 to 24689 polling stations (100% coverage) in 2022 elections.

Punjab is pioneer state in implementation of Flying Squad Vehicles starting from 2017 elections. No other state of India has implemented surveillance through flying squad vehicles. 3 flying squad vehicles in each assembly constituency of Punjab were deployed in 2022 Vidhan Sabha Elections for the first time in Punjab. Deployment of Flying Squad Vehicles has helped the CEO office in checking the illegal activity, cash distribution, liquor distribution and other such Code of Conduct Violations on ground level.

4G SIM based Cameras were deployed in 10,000 plus polling stations for web streaming in 2022 VidhanSabha Elections for the first time in Punjab.

Web streaming of First Level Checking event has been performed in 2022 Vidhan Sabha Elections for the first time in Punjab.

Punjab Infotech has recently undertaken the webcasting for Elections to the 18^th Lok Sabha Elections for all events such as First Level Checking, Flying Squad Vehicles and Polling Day covering 100% Polling Booths on behalf of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab. Webcasting from vulnerable Inter State Checkposts was also undertaken for the first time during these elections. 

Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of CCTV Surveillance System at Punjab Vidhan Bhawan

Punjab Infotech has been entrusted with the work related to the procurement and installation of CCTV Surveillance System in the Punjab Vidhan Bhawan. The Capitol Complex, consisting of the Legislative Assembly, the Secretariat and the High Court is part of the UNESCO recognised list of internationally significant architecture sites. The CCTV installation has been done as per guidelines to ensure minimum changes to the fascia of the Punjab Vidhan Bhawan and surroundings.

Digital Conference System (DCS) for Punjab VidhanSabha (PVS) at Chandigarh

This project was executed, installed and is being maintained by Punjab Infotech since the year 2011. During the Session period, the DCS system facilitates the day-to-day functioning of the Vidhan Sabha. It is based on the State-of-the-Art digital technology, integrates a wide variety of functionalities required into a common user interface. The system is completely modular and can be divided & controlled into four categories i.e. Digital Conference System, Video Control System, Sound Reinforcement System and Accessories installed in main assembly hall. The proceedings of the session can be heard and seen live in rooms of Chief Minister, Speakers, Secretary ministers, various political parties, conference room, Governor’s residence through dedicated line and other areas of PVS on specially installed speakers & LED screens controlled and connected with control room in main assembly hall. With the requirement of upgradation of technology, the tender for system upgradation is  being initiated.

Procurement & Distribution of Smart Phones for Aanganwadi workers

Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, Aanganwadi workers (AWWs) have been technologically empowered with the provision of smartphones procured through Government e-Market (GeM) for efficient service delivery. The smartphones are to be loaded with a mobile app, launched in 2020, called the "Poshan Tracker," which is a digital data collection system linked to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's Reproductive and Child Health portal.

Department of Social Security and Woman & Child Development has given approval to procure smart phones under POSHAN Abhiyan in the State through Punjab Infotech. The number of smartphones to be procured are approximately 27,515.

The project is in tendering stage.

Provisioning of Curved Screen & Networking in Punjab Vidhan Sabha

Punjab Vidhan Sabha has entrusted Punjab Infotech with the work related to the complete networking as well as installation of a curved video wall in the well of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha through PWD. 

Procurement & Distribution of Smart Phones to Youth of Punjab

The Government of Punjab had announced the scheme, “Punjab Smart Connect Scheme”, which intends to provide free smart phones to the students of Class XII, studying in various Government schools of Punjab. The smartphones were extremely helpful in accessing information as well as other learning material posted by the Department of School Education during the difficult times of COVID-19, when some of students are facing pressing problems in accessing online education content. The smart phones were pre-loaded with mobile apps which helped the youth in getting information about Punjab Government initiatives and also in availing various Government services.

Punjab Infotech executed the scheme on behalf of Department of School Education. Approximately 1.75 lac smartphones were procured by Punjab Infotech.

A distribution app was also got developed and used comprehensively in order to manage the distribution of Mobile Phones and to effectively capture data of the beneficiaries on a real time basis.

Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance of CCTV Surveillance System at 459 Police Stations in Punjab

As per directions of Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court the project for procurement, installation and maintenance of CCTV Cameras at 459 Police Stations and CIA staffs building including Police Stations of Special Task Force (STF), SSOC, NRI, GRP Police Stations and Women Police Stations to cover all entry & exit points of these police buildings and lock-ups (both Male & Female) was executed by Punjab Infotech in the State of Punjab in year 2019 with an objective to safeguard the rights of arrested person, visitors and police personnel on duty to increase transparency in police station day to day activities and to create secure environment. The project was implemented on behalf of Bureau of Investigation, Punjab Police.

Procurement of Specialised Forensic & Intelligence Equipment 

Punjab Infotech has been procuring various specialised equipment for forensic and investigative requirements on behalf of Police Department and its agencies since the year 2017. Most of these equipment has been procured by the Police towards its upgradation and modernization.

Websites and IT 

Websites and IT Work related to conducting security audits through CertIN empanelled vendors and development of department websites through external vendors is also undertaken by Punjab Infotech on specific request of the Departments.

Business First

Business First Technology Solution Portal is technology interface for providing all regulatory services and fiscal incentives to the businesses throughout their lifecycle in the State of Punjab. The application has been developed by NIC. Punjab Infotech is managing the technology side of the project on behalf of Department of Industries and Commerce.

52 Regulatory clearances, 43 fiscal incentives and 74 departmental services as per the Industrial Policy of Punjab are provided online through the application. Punjab’s single window- Business First Portal, was one of the pioneer state portals to be integrated with the National Single Window Portal.

Implementation of eAbkari for Department of Excise

The Department of Excise is implementing “e-Abkari” to enable online delivery of services. The project commenced in Aug 2018 with NIC Punjab and DoGR providing implementation and hosting. The project period for development and implementation is 2019-2022 during which 51 modules are to be implemented which also caters to Ease of Doing Business Directives. Punjab Infotech has acted as the Project Management Consultant for the department of Excise.

Implementation of QR Based Track & Trace System for the Department of Excise

QR Code based Track & Trace System for Liquor supply across the State of Punjab is being implemented on Build-Operate-Own – Transfer (BOOT) basis. The objective of the Project is to track and trace movement of liquor supply in the form of Country Liquor (CL), Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), Beer and Imported Foreign Liquor (IFL) by affixing QR code on each bottle starting from distillery to bonded warehouse and from bonded warehouse to vends. This, in turn, would facilitate the department and their stakeholders in monitoring the entire supply chain. Punjab Infotech acted as the Project Management Consultant for the department of Excise.

ONDC

The ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC), is a Government of India (GoI) backed technology infrastructure. ONDC needs the state government support to spread awareness and reach to the MSME, Startups and State government led online stores for on boarding them to the ONDC network. Accordingly, Punjab Infotech has been designated as the Nodal Agency for ONDC in Punjab. The project is being managed with the team to involve the State Government Departments (involved in B2C product manufacturing), Industries Department (To propagate the concept among industries in Punjab), Agricultural and other agencies such as Verka, PAIC etc. In this regard, several meetings have been held across Punjab with all important departments of Punjab who can play an important role in the implementation of ONDC in Punjab & departments that can benefit from the ONDC network by directly joining the network to sell their products (e.g. Markfed, Milkfed and Punjab Agro).

In Punjab, workshops have been conducted in six selected districts (Mohali, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda) to educate and brief MSMEs, startups, and SHGs about ONDC, with the state providing the necessary arrangements for the presentations. MoU is proposed to be signed between ONDC and Industries Department, Govt of Punjab soon.