Akshaya centers fighting for survival; govt inaction questioned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Akshaya centers, started as a part of the government's digitalization dream are currently on the verge of closing down with the financial crisis making the survival arduous. Those offices facing crisis are the ones that charge low user fees fixed by the government.

In 2018, service charges were implemented for Akshaya centers. It was decided that the fee would be re-fixed every two years. Despite the huge increase in expenditure, the rates were not increased. There was also an increase in electricity and internet charges. Building rent also went high. There was also a huge increase in wages for employees and ink for printers, but the government stood adamant about not changing the rates.

Recently, many new private citizen centers that increased fees at a whim were arrested by vigilance officials. This also led to purported talks about Akshaya centers taking exorbitant fees from the public. According to FACE (Forum of Akshaya Center Entrepreneurs), the government's sluggish attitude to not address the crisis has led to the Akshaya Kendra in the state going redundant.