Effectiveness of grassroots ICT projects: A case study of the Akshaya Project of Kerala State, India

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study that examined the effectiveness of grassroots ICT projects in India. It was conducted in 2010 and focused on the Akshaya ICT Project which was launched in 2002 by the IT Mission and the Department of Science and Technology of the State of Kerala, India with voluntary tie-up with some local bodies. The core aim of the project was to make Kerala the first fully e-literate state in India. Data were collected using qualitative and quantitative methods. One hundred respondents of the district were selected and recruited through a two stage sampling technique. The study found that although over half of the respondents had heard about the project, very few were aware of the project’s services. The few who accessed the services did so mainly epayment purposes.

Key Words: ICT, Akshaya Project, Kerala, development, e-kendra (e-centre)