Govt mandates digital signatures for e-office operations in J&K

All officers to utilize digital signature certificates or Aadhaar-based e-signatures from June 1

SRINAGAR: In a significant move towards digital transformation and enhancing efficiency in governmental operations, the administration of Union Territory has announced mandatory requirements for the use of digital signatures in e-office operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Effective from June 1, 2024, all officers above the rank of dealing officers, or equivalent, are mandated to utilize Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) or Aadhaar-based e-signatures for electronically signing and processing e-office notes and proposals.
This directive aims to promote a digital working environment, reduce dependencies on physical documents, enhance security measures in cyberspace, and prevent unauthorized access to government files.
The General Administration Department has issued a circular in this regard.
The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India, while reviewing the status of implementation of e-office has made it mandatory for all officers of the rank of dealing officers and above or equivalent to use Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) or Aadhaar based e-sign/e-Hastaakshar for electronically signing the e-files in the e-office system before forwarding, it reads.
To achieve the objective of adopting a digital working environment, reducing dependencies on physical documents, practicing of proper security measures to ensure security in cyberspace and preventing the unauthorized access of government files in the e-office, it is imperative to have Digital Signature Certificates or Aadhaar-based e-sign/e-Hastakshar for electronically signing and processing of eoffice notes/proposals for approval in digital mode w.e.f. 01.06.2024, it added.
Pursuant to the instructions of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Government of India and in provision of Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, it is enjoined upon all the Administrative Departments/Head of Departments/Deputy Commissioners/Managing Directors of various PSUs/Boards/Corporations to ensure that the officers/officials of their respective departments shall use Digital Signatures (DSC) or Aadhaar based esign/e-Hastaakshar as mode of signing notes in e-office w.e.f. 01.06.2024, it added.
It added, “The necessary support, in this regard, shall be provided by the local e-office support team of JaKeGA and Information Technology Department. The users should also go through the implementation guidelines documents at https://docs.eofflce.gov.in or the handbook issued by JaKeGA vide No. JaKeGA Gen/68/2021 dated 16.10.2023 in this regard”.