E-GOVERNANCE IN INDIA - THE ROAD AHEAD

CASIRJ Volume 5 Issue 4 [Year - 2014] ISSN 2319 – 9202

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science http://www.casirj.com Page 202

E-GOVERNANCE IN INDIA - THE ROAD AHEAD

By RIYAZ ALI

Assistant Professor

SWAMI SHRADDHANAND COLLEGE

University of Delhi

Email:[email protected]

GIRISH GARG

Assistant Professor

PGDAV (Eve.) COLLEGE

University of Delhi

Email Id: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Governance can be termed as a system where in services to citizens are provided by the

administration through a controlling mechanism with four phases, namely - information,

interaction, transaction and transformation. Public administration, governed by bureaucratic

structures built on rationale principles, that dominated the twentieth century, has failed to

respond to the changing requirements of the present times. E-governance, which is a paradigm

shift over the traditional approaches in public administration, means rendering of government

services and information to the public using electronic means. This new paradigm has brought

about a revolution in the quality of service delivered to the citizens. It has ushered in

transparency in the governing process; saving of time due to provision of services through single

window; simplification of procedures; better office and record management; reduction in

corruption; and improved attitude, behaviour and job handling capacity of the dealing

personnel. The present study substantiates these theoretical assumptions about e-governance by

analyzing some experiences at the local, state and federal levels of government in India...

.Key Words: E- governance, public administration, transparency and corruption

INTRODUCTION

E-Governance in India has steadily evolved from computerization of Government Departments

to initiatives that encapsulate the finer points of Governance, such as citizen centricity, service

orientation and transparency. In the past, service delivery mechanisms of the government

mailto:[email protected]


International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science http://www.casirj.com 03

departments left much to be desired in India. Cramped spaces; shabby ambience; discourteous

dealing personnel and their Chronic absenteeism; demands of gratification; inefficiency in work;

long queues; procrastinating officials; procedural complexities; etc., were some of the

undesirable features Of the working of the government departments. Consequently, a visit to

government department by a citizen to make use of any service used to be a harrowing

experience .With the rising awareness amongst the citizens and their better experiences with the

private sector. The demand for better services on the part of government departments became

more pronounced. The infusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has

played a prominent role in strengthening such a demand. The metamorphosis in the quality of

delivery of services to the citizens by the government has been more pronounced in recent years

with the advent of e-governance. E-governance, which is a paradigm shift over the traditional

approaches in Public Administration, means rendering of government services and information

to the public using electronic means. This new paradigm has brought about a revolution in the

quality of service delivered to the citizens. It has ushered in transparency in the governing

process; saving of time due to provision of services through single window; simplification of

procedures; better office and record management; reduction in corruption; and improved attitude,

behaviour and job handling capacity of the dealing personnel.

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), takes a holistic view of e-Governance initiatives

across the country, integrating them into a collective vision, a shared cause. Around this idea, a

massive countrywide infrastructure reaching down to the remotest of villages is evolving, and

large-scale digitization of records is taking place to enable easy, reliable access over the internet.

https://www.negp.gov.in/



The ultimate objective is to bring public services closer home to citizens, as articulated in the

Vision Statement of NeGP.

SCOPE OF E-GOVERNMENT

While e-government encompasses a wide range of activities, we can identify three distinct areas.

These include government-to-government (G to G), government-to-citizens (G to C), and

government to business (G to B). Each of these represents a different combination of motivating

forces. However, some common goals include improving the efficiency, reliability, and quality

of services for the respective groups. In many respects, the government to government (G to G)

sector represents the backbone of e-government. It is felt that governments at the union, state and

local level must enhance and update their own internal systems and procedures before electronic

transactions with citizens and business are introduced. Government to government e-government

involves sharing data and conducting electronic exchanges between various governmental

agencies. There are number of advantages with government-to-government initiatives. One

benefit with this is cost savings, which is achieved by increasing the speed of the transactions,

reduction in the number of personnel necessary to complete a task, and improving the

consistency of outcomes. Another advantage, which flows from this, is improvement in the

management of public resources.

Government to citizen (G to C) facilitates citizen interaction with government, which is

primary goal of e-government. This attempts to make transactions, such as payment of taxes,

renewing licenses and applying for certain benefits, less time consuming and easy to carry out.

Government to citizen initiatives also strives to enhance access to public information through the

use of websites and kiosks. Further, one of the main goals of implementing these initiatives has

been to create a “single window” where citizens can carry out variety of tasks especially those

that involve multiple government departments, without requiring the citizen to initiate contacts

with each government department individually. Thus, the G to C initiatives is driven by an urge

to provide “better government” through improved efficiency and more reliable outcomes.

Government to Business (G to B) sector includes both the procurement of goods and

services by the government as well as the sale of surplus government goods to the public on line.

There are two motivating forces behind G to B. Currently; the business community prefers to



carry out its activities such as sales, procurement, and hiring through electronic means. There are

large numbers of software companies, which are producing number of products focusing on

performing routine business activities on line. Thus, many companies like to extend the cost

savings realized through Business to Business (B to B) transactions to their business with union,

state and local level governments. The second reason for the growth of G to B is the demand for

cost cutting and efficient procurements in the government. Developing countries, where there is

great pressure to minimize costs due to shortage of funds, G to B are being encouraged by the

governmental agencies.

ADVANTAGES OF E-GOVERNANCE

It greatly simplifies the process of information accumulation for citizens and businesses.

It empowers people to gather information regarding any department of government and get

involved in the process of decision making.

E-Governance strengthens the very fabric of democracy by ensuring greater citizen participation

at all levels of governance

E-Governance leads to automation of services, ensuring that information regarding every work

of public welfare is easily available to all citizens, eliminating corruption.

This revolutionizes the way governments function, ensuring much more transparency in the

functioning, thereby eliminating corruption.

Since the information regarding every activity of government is easily available, it would make

every government department responsible as they know that every action of theirs is closely

monitored.

Proper implementation of e-Governance practices make it possible for people to get their work

done online thereby sparing themselves of unnecessary hassles of travelling to the respective

offices.



Successful implementation of e-Governance practices offer better delivery of services to citizens,

improved interactions with business and industry, citizen empowerment through access to

information, better management, greater convenience, revenue growth, cost reductions

etc.Furthermore, introduction of e-Governance brings governments closer to citizens. So much

so that today it becomes extremely convenient to get in touch with a government agency. Indeed,

citizen service centres are located closer to the citizens now. Such centres may consist of an

unattended kiosk in the government agency, a service kiosk located close to the client, or the use

of a personal computer in the home or office. E-Governance practices help business access

information that might be important for them at a click.

STATUS OF E-GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

E-Governance will able to provide the government services to the common man in a very cost

effective manner. Following are few successful stories of e-governance in India:

BHOOMI – Automation of Land Records (State Government of Karnataka) it provides

computerized Record of Rights Tenancy & Crops (RTC) - needed by farmer to obtain bank

loans, settle land disputes etc. It has also ensured increased transparency and reliability,

significant reduction in corruption, exploitation and oppression of farmers. This project has

benefited 20 million rural land records covering 6.7 million farmers. Key Characteristics:

Bhoomi facilitates computerization of entire 20 million records of land ownership of 6.7 million

farmers.

* It is uniquely designed for Karnataka State.

* Regional language dominance i.e. Kannada.

* Generally target all citizens of the state.

* 177 taluks and 203 kiosks are developed for supporting the Bhoomi project.

Benefits: Kiosks (Bhoomi Centre) provide RTC online at a very nominal cost of Rs. 15/-only.

Efficiency for getting records of right is very high; it will just take only 5 to 30 min. whereas old

system will take around 3 to 30 days. Mutation will takes place within 35 days whereas in old

manual system it will take minimum of 200 days. Land record distribution is very high (Nearly

14 million records). Number of mutation per year is 1.6 million which is very high in comparison



to old system. Acceptability Reason: Easy & Fast access of land Records, High efficiency of

record of right, fast mutation, Bhoomi provides high reliability of Records, regional language

dominance which will allow citizens to participate and access Information with a very nominal

cost.

CARD – Registration Project (State Government of Andhra Pradesh) Computer-Aided

Administration of Registration Department (CARD) impacting 10 million citizens over a period

of 3 years. It has completed registration of 2.8 million titles with title searches made in 1.4

million cases. The system ensures transparency in valuation of property and efficient document

management system. The estimated saving of 70 million man-hours of citizen time valued at

US$ 35 mil (investment in CARD - US$ 6million). Similar initiatives in other states like

SARITA (State Government of Maharashtra) STAR (State Government of Tamil Nadu), etc.

have further built upon this initiative. CARD was one of the ten finalists in the International

Innovation awards program instituted by the Commonwealth Association for Public

Administration and Management. Key Characteristics: The CARD project aimed at the complete

computerization of the land registration process in AP. National Registration Act of 1908 did not

make provision for the use of computers for registration purposes but Government of Andhra

Pradesh amended the rule and allowing for the use of electronic devices for the land registration

process. Benefits: Within short span of three years, nearly 90% of registration transactions

performed electronically in Andhra Pradesh. Acceptability Reason: CARD Project changes the

process of registration of legal documents at 214 offices in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The

CARD project was well accepted by the citizens because of its quality and turnaround time for

the registration process.

GYANDOOT: Intranet in Tribal District of Dhar (State Government of Madhya Pradesh) This

project offers e-governance services including online registration of applications, rural e-mail

facility, village auction site etc. It also provides services such as Information on Mandi (farm

products market) rates, On-line public grievance redressed, caste & income certificates and Rural

Market (Gaon ka Bazaar). It was winner of Stockholm challenge IT Award 2000.

Key Characteristics: It provides number of information and solutions for the citizens.

* It will provide information about cost of produced crops, local and other auction centres at



a fee of Rs. 5/-only.

* Provides information about land records to be given on the spot at a fee of Rs. 15/-.

* Provides application for domicile, income, caste can be sent through e-mail at a cost of

Rs.10/-

* Grievance for poor quality seeds/fertilizer/ drinking water/ functioning and non-functioning of

school or panchayats village committee etc can be logged at a cost Rs. 10

* Auction facility for land, machinery and any durable commodity at a fee of Rs.25/ for 3

months.

* Providing the data regarding the families below poverty line

Benefits: Farmers will be facilitated by the Gyandoot by providing the appropriate price for their

crop which minimizes the role of mediators, fast and easy access of various types of forms, land

records etc. Villagers can participate in the decision making of various functioning bodies for

their welfare by effective grievance redressal.

Acceptability Reason: Citizens can access number of facilities and information on one stop shop

at a very nominal cost by using e-Governance.

VAHAN & SARATHI: Vehicle registration, permit driving license project (State Government

of Tamil Nadu) The software developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) for use at

Regional Transport Offices is a workflow system to carry out the activities using Computers.

Vahan is for processing all transactions related to Vehicles and Sarathi is for processing Driving

License and related activities. Vahan can be used to issue Registration Certificate, Fitness

certificate and Permits. Sarathi can be used to issue a Learner‟s License, Permanent Driving

License and Conductor License to the applicant. The system was implemented on pilot basis in

RTO Chennai (North). The system was then approved for implementation in all RTOs in Tamil

Nadu. Vahan & Sarathi Systems have been implemented in 71 offices.

Key Characteristics: There are number of services offered by the Vahan Project:-

* Registration of Vehicle.

* Issue & Modification and Hypothecation in RC.

* Transfer/Surrender/Cancellation of RC.

* Issue, modification or cancellation of Permit.



* Issue of NOC

Services provided by Sarathi Project are:-

* Issue and modification of Learner‟s License.

* Issue and modification of Driving License

* Issue and modification of Conductor‟s License.

Benefits: Online availability of complete vehicle information. Monitors selling and purchasing of

vehicle, Transfer of vehicle, address modification etc becomes very fast and easy.

Acceptability: Reason: Collection of fee and taxes of registration, license, and permit are fast and

efficient also minimizes corruption by the use of e-Governance.

SAMPARK -Union territory of Chandigarh, the capital of two states-Punjab and Haryana, is a

planned city of India. Chandigarh Administration in an effort to provide a responsive and

effective administration has effectively relied on the Information Technology mode to ensure

better quality services to its citizens. Its Memorandum of Understanding with IBM has led to

establishment of „IBM e-governance solution centre‟ for the administration, consequently

developing different e-government applications. A Project called „Sampark‟ has been initiated.

Under this project electronic service centers known as „Sampark Centers‟ have been established

at different locations in the city. These centers provide different government services such as

Payment of Taxes, Payment of Water, Sewerage, and Electricity Bills, Payment of Sticker/Postal

Challan, Issue of Bus Passes, Issue of Senior Citizen Cards, Issue of Births and Death

Certificates, Space Bookings, Tenant Registrations, Domestic Servants Registrations, Passport

Applications, and selected Telephone Bills under a single roof thereby reducing costs and saving

time of the customers there being no jurisdiction limitations. Thus, these centers ushers into the

anytime, anywhere, and non-stop governance concept. Moreover, the enhanced timings,

courteous staff, and better physical infrastructure are some other factors which have made these

centers very popular, as revealed by a recent survey,„The reason for the success of this initiative

can be traced through the way these centers are organized. Providing multiple services through a

single window with a wide geographic spread is a prime reason. Another reason is that the costs

due to single window have also come down and it has relieved the citizens of botheration of

visiting different departments. Availability of air-conditioned service centers with drinking



water, toilet, sitting space, etc.has resulted in higher satisfaction among the citizens.’

CHALLENGES FOR E-GOVERNMENT IN INDIA:

The governments both –the Union and the states must make earnest efforts to complete the

daunting, but formidable task of quicker and effective E-government programs by:

• Making a policy choice in favour of computerization to overcome radically the even if it

requires huge investments for the purchase of hardware and software;

• Serious efforts would be required to mobilize resources for this arduous job. One way to deal

with the situation could be that governments enter into arrangements for leasing of computers.

This would reduce initial heavy capital investments. There are a large number of agencies which

would like to fund the leasing to the departments. Ministry of Finance can be asked to provide

concessions to these agencies;

• Establishing complete connectivity between various ministries and departments so that transfer

of files and papers could be done through Internet thereby choosing efficacious speed as an



alternative to manual labour. To make this really effective, there is a need to make databases of

various departments compatible with one another. Thus, interoperability of e- governance

projects is of vital importance if the citizens are to feel the benefit of IT in day to day life;

• Supplying information to the public in a language that they understand and are comfortable

with, and generally, it is the local language. As, technology is available by which transliteration

from English into other languages can be made. Therefore, the problem is manageable provided

there is enough motivation to do this onerous task;

• Changing the mindset of the government employees who are used to working only in the

manual mode. This is a big task and needs patience and careful planning. Workshops, seminars,

and training programmes are required to be organized to spread awareness among the employees

at all levels;

• Making cyber laws available to the public as early as possible so that the IT systems and

information documents stored in the systems has the same legal validity as the documents stored

today on paper; and

• Build supporting infrastructures of power and all weather surface transport system to bridge the

digital divide between the rural and urban India

Last of all the Government must address on urgent basis: the two major concerns in the IT

implementation- the security and privacy. Steps must be initiated to generate confidence among

the individuals and organizations to conduct on-line transactions and communications.

REFRENCES

Bhatnagar Subhash (2004), e-government from vision to implementation, sage

publications, New Delhi.



Government of India, „Information Technology Action Plan: IT for All Indians by

2008‟,http://it-taskforce.nic.in.

Gupta, M.P. (2004). Towards E-Government Management Challenges, Tata McGraw-

Hill Publishing Company Limited, New Delhi.

Kaushik, P.D. (2004). E-Governance: Government Initiatives in India, in Bibek Debroy,

Agenda for improving Governance, Academic Foundation in Association with Rajiv

Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi.

Kochhar Sameer and Gursharan Dhanjal, (2005). E-government Report Card, Yojna, Vol.

49, August, New Delhi.

World Bank (1992), Governance and Development, World Bank Washington, DC.

Automation of Land Records State Government of Karnataka [http://www.revdept-

01.kar.nic.in/]

Registration Project State Government of Andhra Pradesh, 1996, [http://igrs.ap.gov.in/]

Intranet in Tribal District of Dhar State Government of Madhya Pradesh

[http://www.gyandoot.nic.in/]

E-Governance at Regional Transport Offices in Tamil Nadu,2007, National Informatics

Centre Tamil Nadu State Centre [http://www.tn.nic.in/tnhome/projectfiles/brochure-

transport.pdf]

www.edevexchange.org/eGov/sfoverview.htm

www.egov4dev.org/egodefn.htm

www.pacificcouncil.org

www.unpan.org/dpepa-kmb-eg

http://www.pacificcouncil.org/

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