Russia has launched a special social networking site to encourage communication between IT specialists who develop online public service technologies for regional administrations.
The project is part of the Russian government's efforts to create an electronic public service system, intended to help fight corruption and red tape.
The regionalochka.ru website, designed for "employees of Russia's regional administrations, charged with IT development, administrative reform and transition to providing state and municipal services online," was launched last Sunday and is currently operating in a test mode.
The networking site is hosted by Rostelecom, a subsidiary of Russia's state-run telecoms giant Svyazinvest.
Apart from the standard registration form, in which a user must submit his or her name, e-mail address and other personal info, the website also requests information on the state body in which a person is currently employed, along with the department and official post.
The CNews web portal said on Monday, citing Russia's communications ministry, that every registration bid will be checked and authorized by regional IT specialists.
The ministry said that such harsh registration procedure was due to the purely professional nature of the web portal.
Rostelecom is also involved in another government initiative to create a state e-mail service allowing citizens to communicate with officials and be rendered public services via the Internet.
The service, expected to be launched by the end of 2010, will provide Russians with the opportunity to apply for various documents and receive them by e-mail, without having to stand in long lines.
MOSCOW, April 12 (RIA Novosti)
