228 | P a g e
E-GOVERNANCE A NEW FRONTIER OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN INDIA
Shekhar Choudhary
ABSTRACT
An attempt has been made in this work, which is both a critical assessment and a point of view, to determine whether or not E-governance can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of successful and sustainable deployment of Good Governance in India. It is the goal of this study to define the concept of e- governance from both a national and international standpoint. Furthermore, it aims to dispel myths around the primary problems associated with the introduction of e-governance in India. A large amount of secondary data was obtained from government websites, various national and international journals and articles, publications, conference papers, government reports, newspapers, and magazines that were devoted to various areas of governance, as well as from various other sources. In recent years, e-governance has been acknowledged as a critical driver in achieving revolutionary improvements in the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of governance. The Indian government is making numerous efforts to provide services to its inhabitants through the use of electronic government (e-Government). The application of information and communications technology (ICT) in governance (e-governance) promotes all elements of Good Governance. It may be stated that e-governance is critical to achieving "Good Governance" in developing countries such as India, as it helps to reduce corruption, offer efficient and effective services, and improve the overall quality of life for their population. Increased democratic engagement, accountability, openness, as well as the quality and speed of services, are all facilitated by e-government. However, in order for e-government to be implemented effectively in India, a conducive climate must be created. It is hoped that this study will serve as a springboard for additional research in this sector, including the creation of e-governance methodologies and the removal of roadblocks that prevent the smooth implementation of e-governance.
Keywords: E-governance, Government, Governance
INTRODCUTIONGovernance, good governance, and e-governance are all terms that are becoming increasingly used in development literature. In governance, the process of decision-making is described, as well as the process through which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). The World Bank, for example, distinguishes between three dimensions of governance: I the sort of political regime in place, ii) public management of economic and social resources, and iii) the ability of the government to create, formulate, and implement policies, among other things.
229 | P a g e
In the words of former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, "good governance is a force that ensures respect for human rights and the rule of law while advancing democracy, increasing openness, and building the capacity of public administration." Good governance is distinct from governance, which is primarily a political and technocratic phrase with no normative ambitions. Good governance argues that governance should be regarded as good,' rather than terrible,' and that governance should be regarded as such. When it comes to good governance, it can be defined as the procedures that lead political and socio-economic connections in a way that is committed to democratic values, dependable services, and just and honest corporate practices, among other things.
Authorities at the federal, state, and partially municipal levels are confronted with issues brought by rising public demand for higher levels of governance quality. While the developed world and certain Asian countries have evolved quite swiftly in recent years, India has lagged behind in terms of matching the rising levels of citizen expectations. Large-scale population expansion, a diverse range of cultural traditions, extreme poverty, and widespread illiteracy all pose significant challenges to the delivery of government services. It is necessary to improve the present processes of service delivery and governance in order to achieve success.
It is widely acknowledged that e-governance (Electronic Governance/Digital Governance) is a critical force in the transformational development of the overall quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of governance. It is necessary to establish and implement a governance strategy that is driven by information and communication technology with the goal of increasing openness and increasing accountability. The Government of India (GoI) is moving away from the old modus operandi of governance and toward a more technologically based participation in the governance process. India is currently in a transition phase, where it is seamlessly integrating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) into the administration of the country's affairs.
The Government of India is investing a significant amount of resources in the implementation of e-governance;
but, are these efforts directed in the right direction and leading to the desired results? What do the general public's perceptions of the concept of e-governance look like? What is the general public's impression of e- governance from a worldwide perspective? What are the most significant obstacles to the widespread implementation of e-governance? The author has attempted to riposte to the points raised above in this piece of writing. According to the authors, this research is an attempt to determine whether electronic governance may make a substantial contribution to the successful and long-term implementation of good governance in India. It is the goal of this study to define the concept of e-governance from both a national and international standpoint.
Furthermore, it aims to dispel myths around the primary problems associated with the introduction of e- governance in India. It also indicates certain assumptions about the triumphant success of e-governance, particularly in the context of Indian politics. Following a definition of e-governance, the paper gives a generic e- governance model, as well as various case studies (initiatives) and examples of e-governance in action.
230 | P a g e
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The major objectives of the study are as follows:
To study the concept and definition of e-governance.
To review the driving model of e-governance.
To study the journey of e-governance.
To review the initiative taken under e-governance by Indian government.
To evaluate the significant role of e-governance to achieve goals of good governance.
To discuss the challenges for sustainable e-governance.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
In order to ensure the successful and long-term deployment of good governance over the world, e- governance has played an important role. The author's goal is to investigate the crucial role that e- governance plays in achieving good governance in India, by examining the concept, model, and measures done by the Indian government to accomplish this goal.
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
India is the world's fastest-growing economy, and it is currently undergoing a change from bad governance to good governance through the use of e-government. Among development professionals, social researchers, international development organizations, and academics, the establishment of good governance has now risen to the top of the priority list in their discussions. Initiatives for developing good governance, on the other hand, have not been launched in equal measure everywhere across the world. The government has moved quickly to develop and implement the various perspectives. The author's theoretical goal is to comprehend the relationships between governance, good governance, and e-governance, as well as the concepts, models, and numerous projects that exist.
METHODOLOGY
The exploratory research method is intended to allow an investigator to essentially look about with respect to a phenomenon, with the goal of developing intriguing thoughts about the phenomenon (Reynolds, 1971). This research is exploratory in character, and it combines both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods. For the purpose of this study (a critical review), extensive secondary data was gathered from various national and international journals and articles, publications, conference papers, government reports, newspapers, and magazines that were devoted to various aspects of governance, as well as from various government websites.
This is the best/standard method while conducting a research project of the critical review variety.
231 | P a g e
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ON THE INITIATIVE OF E-GOVERNANCE IN INDIAGovernments around the world, including the Government of India and a number of state governments, have been putting in place measures to improve the quality of governance in their respective areas of influence. It wasn't until the mid-1990s that e-governance began to get widespread notice. A number of projects in the subject of e-governance have been launched in India in the last couple of years, some of which are as follows:
Computerization of Land Records: In collaboration with NIC. Ensuring that land owners get computerized copies of ownership, crop and tenancy and updated copies of Records of Rights (RoRs) on demand.
Bhoomi Project: Online delivery of Land Records. Self-sustainable e-governance project for the computerized delivery of 20 million rural land records to 6.7 million farmers through 177 Government-owned kiosks in the state of Karnataka.
Gyandoot is a Government to Citizen (G2C) service delivery programme that is based on the Intranet platform.
It was established in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh in January 2000 with the dual objectives of giving important information to the rural populace and serving as a link between the district administration and the people. It has been in operation since then.
Lokvani Project in Uttar Pradesh: Lokvani is a public-private partnership project in the Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh that began in November 2004 and is currently in its final stages. Its goal is to establish a self-sustaining e-governance solution that handles grievances, maintains property records, and provides a variety of other critical services through a single point of contact.
In Kerala, Project FRIENDS is doing the following activities: FRIENDS (Fast, Reliable, Instant, Efficient Network for the Disbursement of Services) is a Single Window Facility that allows citizens to pay their taxes and other financial obligations to the state government in a streamlined and efficient manner through a single interface. Service delivery is carried out through the FRIENDS Janasevana Kendrams, which are located in the district headquarters building.
Lokmitra Janmitra Centers/Kiosks in Rajasthan are part of the e-Mitra project, which is an integrated project that aims to provide the urban and rural populations with the maximum feasible services connected to various state government departments through Lokmitra Janmitra Centers/Kiosks.
STATE MISSION MODE PROJECTS
E-GOVERNANE IN MUNICIPALITIES: In India, it is a one-of-a-kind effort by the government to improve operational efficiencies inside Urban Local Bodies. It was designed within the broader National e-governance Plan (NeGP) and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (Jnnurm) (ULBs).
232 | P a g e
Creating a comprehensive and integrated system for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of policing at all levels, particularly at the police station level, is the goal of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network &
Systems (CCTNS) MMP. This is accomplished through the adoption of e-Government principles and the development of a nationwide networked infrastructure for the evolution of an IT-enabled state-of-the art tracking system.
E-panchayat: The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are burdened with the difficulties of insufficient physical and financial resources, limited technological capabilities, and a lack of computerization to a significant degree.
As a result, the potential of PRIs as the preferred delivery channel for State and Central government initiatives, as well as for citizen services, has not been completely fulfilled to its maximum extent. While the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIC) has undertaken modest computerization efforts for PRIs throughout the years, the e-Government revolution that is sweeping the country has not yet had a substantial impact on PRIs. Thus, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the Indian government has determined that computerization of PRIs will be carried out on a mission mode basis starting in 2015.
E-District: e-District is one of the 31 Mission Mode Projects under the National e Governance Plan (NeGP), with the Department of Information Technology (DIT) of the Government of India serving as the nodal ministry. Providing support to the basic administrative unit, i.e. the District Administration, through backend computerization will enable the electronic delivery of high volume citizen-centric government services. The three infrastructure pillars of State Wide Area Networks (SWAN), State Data Centers (SDC), and Common Service Centers (CSCs) will be optimally leveraged and utilised to deliver services to the citizen at his or her door step.
INTEGRATED MISSION MODE PROJECTS
E-Procurement: In the case of e-procurement, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Department of Commerce) has been designated as the Nodal Ministry for the implementation of Mission Mode Projects in the e- Government Procurement (e-GP) domain (MMP). The mission of the e-Procurement MMP is to "create a national initiative to implement procurement reforms, through the use of electronic government procurement, in order to make public procurement in all sectors more transparent and efficient." The vision of the e-Procurement MMP is to "create a national initiative to implement procurement reforms, through the use of electronic government procurement, in order to make public procurement in all sectors more transparent and efficient."
E-Courts: In the case of e-Courts, the Mission Mode Project (MMP) was established with the goal of transforming the Indian judiciary through the application of technology. A report provided by the e-Committee under the Supreme Court on national policy and action plan on deployment of information communication tools in Indian court was the impetus for this project's development. A clear goal to reengineer procedures and increase judicial productivity both qualitatively and quantitatively in order to make the justice delivery system more inexpensive, accessible, cost-effective, transparent, and accountable is set forth in this document.
233 | P a g e
E-Biz: In order to achieve this vision, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, developed the e-Biz Mission Mode Project. According to its mission statement, it aspires to "change the business climate in the country" by providing investors, industries and businesses with "efficient, convenient, transparent, and integrated electronic services throughout the company life cycle."
Centers for Common Services: The CSCs would provide high-quality and affordable video, voice, and data content and services in the areas of e-governance, education, health, and telemedicine. They would also provide content and services in the areas of entertainment, and other private services. CSCs will provide web-enabled e- governance services in rural areas, including application forms, certifications, and utility payments like as power and telephone bills. This will be a particular emphasis of the CSCs.
RECENT INITIATIVE ARE AS FOLLOWS”
DIGITAL INDIA PROGRAM: The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (Department of EIT) has envisioned this initiative (DeitY). The ambition of Digital India is to turn the country into a knowledge-based society and economy that is empowered by digital technology. The Digital India initiative is revolutionary in nature, and it will ensure that residents have access to government services through electronic means. It would also improve public accountability by mandating the delivery of government services electronically; creating a Unique ID and e-Pramaan based on authentic and standard-based interoperable and integrated government applications and data bases; and mandating the delivery of government services electronically. With this scheme, every citizen will have access to digital infrastructure, which will include high- speed internet, which will be provided as a core utility in all gramme panchayats. In general, the goal of this programme is to "prepare India for a knowledge-based future," "make technology the key enabler of transformational change," and "become an umbrella programme that encompasses several ministries."
MyGov: Itis the government's online citizen portal. On Saturday, the Prime Minister created an online portal, mygov.nic.in, to involve citizens in the process of good administration (surajya), as he marked the completion of his first 60 days in office. MyGov is a technology-driven platform that would give everyone the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the advancement of good governance.
E-Kranti programme: It is a project that aims to connect the internet to isolated villages throughout the country.
As a result of this initiative, internet services will be made more accessible to people living in rural locations throughout the country. The key aspects of this programme would be the ease with which the records will be made available to the government. It also covers the expansion of the internet and the establishment of information technology-based jobs in rural areas.
234 | P a g e
CONCLUSIONIn recent years, e-governance has been acknowledged as a critical driver in achieving revolutionary improvements in the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of governance. In order to satisfy the expectations of an ever-growing population, nearly all governments throughout the world are transitioning away from the old method of managing administrative work and toward e-governance technologies. The Indian government is making numerous efforts to provide services to its inhabitants through the use of electronic government (e- Government). Due to the fact that it is part of a larger global movement, this is a time of transition and change that cannot be halted. ICT is a technology that may be used to support a wide range of human activities across the board. Transparency, consensus orientation, equity building, effectiveness and efficiency, as well as accountability and participation, are all characteristics of good governance, as previously explored in detail.
Consequently, the application of information and communications technology (ICT) in governance (e- governance) promotes all characteristics of Good Governance. In the context of good governance, e-governance is the use of information and communication technologies to facilitate the processes of government and public administration in order to achieve all elements of good governance.
E-governance enables citizens to take part in the governmental and democratic processes in real time. Better policy outcomes, higher-quality services, and greater involvement with citizens are all made possible by e- governance. Such online services and information could include those that improve democratic involvement, accountability, transparency, as well as the overall level of quality and speed of services. Several attempts have been undertaken by several state governments in India in recent years to integrate information technology (IT) into the running of government in order to deliver better services to the residents of India. Despite the fact that the Indian government spends a significant amount of money on e-governance projects, these initiatives are not successful in all sections of the country. As a result, in order to develop e-government in India, a vision is required. To achieve the aim, it is necessary to overcome the difficulties associated with the implementation of e-government. After that, it is necessary to create an atmosphere conducive to the effective deployment of e- government in India. In addition, the participation of the general public can be critical in the implementation of e-governance in India.
REFERENCES
Cooper ,Christopher A., H. Gibbs Knott and Brennan, Kathleen, M. (2007), ―The Importance of Trust in Government for Public Administration: The Case of Zoning, Public Administration Review, and Volume 68 Issue 3, pp 459-468.
Coursey, David and Norris, Donald F. (2008), ―Models of E-Government: Are They Correct? An Empirical Assessment, Public Administration Review, Volume 68 Issue 3 Page 523-536, May June 2008
Dada, Danish (2006), ―The failure of e-government in developing countries: A literature review, The Electronic Journal on Information Systems in Developing Countries, 26,7 pp1-10
235 | P a g e
DFID 2007, Civil Society and Good Governance, Briefing: A DFID Practice Paper, Department for International Development, London.
Fraga. E. (2002), ―Trends in e-Government: How to Plan, Design & Measure e-Government‖, Government Management Information Sciences (GMIS) Conference, New Mexico, 2002.
Heeks, Richard (2001), ― Understanding e-Governance for Development‖, Working Paper, iGovernment Working Papers series, IDPM Working papers
www.nic.in/projects
www.egovindia.org/egovportals.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/inforeg/egovstrategy.pdf
http://www.gocalne.org.uk/gobetween/Background.pdf
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/indias-nationalinformatics-centre-builds.html
