Haryana Bets On Startups To Automate Public Services

In a bid to support startup ecosystem and look for mutual benefit to grow the state, the  Haryana state government has reportedly roped in a few Delhi-NCR based startups to help it automate and digitise the processes for the citizens.

One of such startups is Delhi-based social intelligence organisation CivilCops which will work with the government to develop a new app to replace the government owned Harpath app, which offers solutions for road related grievances in the state.

CivilCops was founded in April 2017 by Ashish Sharma. The platform makes use of data and artificial intelligence to make the process of reporting grievances more faster. It offers AI chat and voice interfaces as channels for reporting public grievances.

The platform is working to develop an app that will use artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the process, receive and analyse complaints from the state citizens.

At present, there are nearly 300 people involved in the process of sorting out and analysing complaints received across departments. With the use of CivilCops’ developed apps, the government is aiming to reduce the manpower along with the cost involved in the process.

Another startup working with the state government is Gurugram-based product management and business consulting company Crezare Enterprise Limited.

Anuj Rastogi launched Crezare and it works with  Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to develop an application to receive public feedback on services and projects provided by the government agencies.

The startup is also working with the state’s forest department to launch Green Haryana, which will be aimed at keeping a check on plantation drives.

Inspired by Karnataka’s state startup policies, last year, Haryana had also come up with the Entrepreneur and Startup Policy 2017 to support the state startup ecosystem.

Despite being a late entrant to the startup-focused policy frameworks, Haryana has been immensely benefited from its close proximity to Delhi. While Faridabad has already been home to age-old SMEs, Gurugram has housed startup bigwigs such as Zomato, Grofers, Ola, Snapdeal, ibibo Group, etc.

The draft policy suggests the establishment of an IT Startup Hub in Gurugram. Apart from Gurugram, the draft policy also looks to build an Incubation centre in all parts of the state.

The state government is also working with several startups via Nasscom’s Gurugram-based Centre of Excellence-Internet of Things (IoT).

The state had asked the startups working at the Centre of Excellence to help in accessing the extent and nature of droughts in the state. This move will help the government decide on the amount of compensation to be provided to the farmers.

Skill development and industrial training minister Vipul Goel had announced that the government would award $20.2K (INR 15 Lakh) to a startup which develops devices to assist those with visual impairment.

What Are The States Doing For Startups?

Not only Haryana but other 20 more states including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh have already startup-oriented policies in place.

Inc42, which has been closely following all the developments related to the Indian startup ecosystem, including policy-related matters, is all set to bring to you a report on the State Of The Indian Startup Ecosystem 2018 at The Ecosystem Summit on November 16.

In September Kerala government had increased the cap on direct purchase of software products, services and mobile app from the startups from $6.8K (INR 5 Lakh) to $27.3K (INR 20 lakh).

In order to develop the state’s startup ecosystem and support the youth execute their innovative ideas, the Madhya Pradesh government will be giving loans upto $13.6K (INR 10 Lakh) without interest as seed capital to the youth of the state.

Recently in September, Assam state government has signed an MoU with The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta to boost the startup environment in the state.

As the Haryana government picks up its pace to bring automation in its decades-old paper processes, the support to and of startup ecosystem with help the government not only improve its e-governance but also strengthen the startup ecosystem.

[The development was reported by Times Of India]