JAMMU: J&K government, in pursuance to instructions of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Government of India, has made it mandatory for all officers and officials to use Digital Signature Certificates (DSC) or Aadhaar based e-sign or e-Hastakshar as mode of signing notes in e-office with effect from June 1, 2024.

Notably, 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 or e-Hastakshar for electronically signing the e-files in the e-office system before forwarding.

As per its instructions, to achieve the objective of adopting digital working environment, reduce dependencies on physical documents, practicing of proper security measures to ensure security in the cyber space 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 or e-Hastakshar for electronically signing and processing of e-office notes or proposals for approval in digital mode with effect from June 1, 2024.

"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 and officials of their respective departments shall use Digital Signatures (DSC) or Aadhaar based e-sign or e-Hastakshar as mode of signing notes in e-office with effect from June 1, 2024," ordered GAD Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma.

He stated that the necessary support, in this regard, would be provided by the local e-office support team of JaKeGA and the Information Technology Department.

"The users should also go through the implementation guidelines documents at https://docs.eoffice.qov.in or the handbook issued by JaKeGA vide No JaKeGA-Gen/68/2021 dated October 16, 2023 in this regard," Verma instructed.