ISLAMABAD: Unlike the general perception of 40 ministries operating via e-offices, the National Information Technology Board (NITB) has so far only provided e-office portals to only 12 ministries.
This was revealed in a Cabinet Committee on Institutional Reform (CCIR) meeting on the implementation of the e-offices in different ministries on Thursday.
NITB officials informed the CCIR that all ministries are currently on different levels of being registered on e-portals. In this regard, 28 out of 40 ministries are at level 2 to 3 in which requisite hardware has not been provided yet.
They further informed that under the proposed digitisation, every file that leaves a ministry will be updated online by the concerned secretary office. The option to upload printed files will also be available.
The NITB proposed that the CCIR recommend the cabinet to direct all inter-departmental correspondence including summaries and letters strictly through the e-office.
During the discussion, the secretary Establishment Division said that secrecy of sensitive official communication should not be compromised therefore this aspect should be given due consideration while transitioning to e-offices.
The forum also highlighted that automation of an e-office may involve appropriate amendments in rules of business.
Progress on this matter will regularly be reviewed by CCIR.
It is pertinent to note that the federal cabinet recently approved the Ministry of IT’s summary with regard to issuing an executive order for running the affairs of NITB. In addition to this, the cabinet also approved an additional budget of Rs689 million for 19 new positions and other expenses of the department.
