TNR News Network
CHANDIGARH/SHIMLA
In a significant push toward digital transformation, Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor (Information Technology and Innovation) to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, highlighted the state’s rapid evolution into a tech-driven leader during the ‘Urban Innovation Summit’ held in Chandigarh today.
The summit was formally inaugurated by the Honorable Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria. Expressing appreciation for Butail’s insights, the Governor urged representatives and stakeholders from other states to deeply study and adopt Himachal Pradesh’s ‘Data-Driven Governance Model’ as a national benchmark.
Redefining Urban Governance through AI
Addressing the summit as the keynote speaker, Gokul Butail emphasized that innovation is no longer a luxury but a necessity for the survival and growth of modern cities.
”Himachal’s urban centers are no longer defined solely by their sensitive mountain ecosystems; they are rapidly establishing themselves as AI-enabled smart cities,” Butail stated.
He detailed the state’s unprecedented technological progress over the last few years, noting that Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to notify its own ‘State Data Hosting Policy.’
Key Technological Milestones
Butail highlighted several platforms that have revolutionized public service delivery in the hill state:
Him Seva Portal: Currently providing over 550 citizen-centric services powered by Artificial Intelligence.
Real-Time AI Verification: Moving away from manual processes that previously took weeks, the new AI-based document verification system offers real-time feedback, allowing citizens to rectify errors before final submission.
Economic Efficiency: Digital reforms in Panchayati Raj and Urban Development—specifically through the digital ‘Parivar Register’ and the ‘Himsomsa’ platform—are saving the state exchequer over ₹60 crore annually.
A Human-Centric Innovation Model
The Principal Advisor underscored the “human face” of these innovations, citing the ‘Him Parivar’ and ‘My Deed’ initiatives.
Through the ‘My Deed’ platform, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state to implement a completely paperless property registration system. This digital shift has eliminated middlemen and brought tehsil (administrative) offices directly to the mobile screens of citizens, ensuring transparency and ease of access.
The summit concluded with a consensus among delegates that Himachal’s blend of environmental consciousness and high-tech governance offers a scalable roadmap for urban centers across India.
