e-Governance: How it helps Government to connect with Citizens?
e-Governance: How it helps Government to connect with Citizens?
Government is doing everything to connect with its citizens digitally. e-Governance is one such initiative. It stands for electronic Governance.
To enhance governance, the government is using digital technologies at various levels. It helps to curb the distances and build close-knit relations between civic organisations and public authorities.
The government introduced e-Governance to make all public services accessible to every common man. It wishes to assure transparency in its work.
Let’s Peep into the History of e-Governance
In the 1970s, e-Governance was introduced in India. It focused on in-house government applications in defense and economic monitoring. It targeted the deployment of ICT to supervise data-intensive functions related to elections, tax administration, census, etc.
Chronology Related to e-Governance
- In 1970, the Department of Electronics was founded. This was a significant step toward e-Governance in India. It brought information and communication into focus.
- In 1997, National Informatics Centre (NIS) was founded. This body created the District Information System program to computerise all district offices in India.
- In 1987, the NICNET ( National Satellite-based computer network) was launched. NICNET was considered a game changer in the history of e-Governance.
The Objective of e-Governance
Some objectives of e-Governance are as follows:
- Better service delivery to Indian citizens.
- To empower people through information.
- To become transparent as well as liable.
- To improve efficiency between the Centre and State governments.
- To improve the interaction between business and commercial enterprises.
Categorisation of Interactions in e-Governance
- Government to Government (G2G)
- Government to Citizen (G2C)
- Government to Business (G2B)
- Government to Employees (G2E)
e-Governance Infrastructure
1. State Wide Area Network (SWAN)
This network offers financial and technical support to States/ UTs for establishing SWAN.
The SWAN helps State/ UT Headquarters to associate with the Sub-divisional Headquarters or Block level via District.
2. State Data Centre (SDC)
SDC has many features. It includes Secure Data Storage, a Central Repository of the State, a Citizen Information/ Services Portal, etc. SDC can diminish the cost of IT Resource Management, Data Management, etc.
3. State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG)
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It is one of the main pillars of e-governance. It helps to develop Electronic Service Delivery in all 35 States/UTs.
This project aims to enhance the services provided to the citizens through CSCs (Common Service Points)
4. Common Service Centre (CSC)
CSC is an active forum. It helps NGOs and the private sector to play a significant part in implementing the CSC Scheme.
Advantage of e-Governance
e-Governance is one of the greatest victories of the government. It becomes a way to promote transparency in the work of government. Some advantages of e-Governance are mentioned below. Read and get some idea about it.
1. Data-Driven Governance
Technology helps in promoting connection among people. High volumes of data are instantly transmitted via the internet and smartphones. These data act as fuel for effective governance.
2. Cost Saving
The motto of the Indian Government is to cut the cost spent on buying stationery for official purposes. For example, letters and written records require a lot of stationery.
E-Governance helps the administration to achieve its goal. With the growing craze of electronic mode among people, the use of paper in government work is decreasing.
3. Transparency
The government can make its work transparent via e-governance. All official information is uploaded onto the Internet or portal these days. Indian citizens can access whatever details they are searching for, whenever they want it. They don’t need to wait for it.
4. Accountability
It is said, “Transparency directly links to accountability”. If the citizens can access the details of the work of the government, they can raise questions. This increases the accountability of the government.
4. Land Recorder Monitoring
We all know that India is a developing country with a diverse land tenure system. Because of this fact, a country like India needs land monitoring.
In India, online record maintenance is a pivotal aspect of e-Governance. It assures that properties related transactions along with physical ones are not false.
Different Connotations of e-Governance
1. e-Administration
It is a form of public administration that uses following to carry out functions:
- ICT (Information and Computer Technology)
- MIS (Management Information System)
- Computerisation of Records (Land, health, etc.)
ICT (Information and Computer Technology), MIS (Management Information System), and computerisation of records (land, health, etc.) to carry out functions.
2. e-Services
The provision of e-Services helps to build relations between citizens and the state. The e-administration with the e-services constitutes e-government.
3. e-Governance
Information and Technology (IT) are used to determine the citizens’ needs. It includes information related to public policy. For making strategies, planning, and research work, the government trusts ITs.
4. e-Democracy
It helps the government to introduce transparency and accountability. e-Democracy boosts citizens’ participation. It includes online grievance redressal, e-referendums, and online disclosures of policies.
How does e-Governance Play an Important Role in Women's Empowerment?
The present-day government focuses on the women population. It has introduced various schemes that are beneficial for women and helps them to gain power.
e-Governance plays an essential part in the growth of a woman’s community. Digital technology helps to overcome the current barrier in the path of women’s development.
Some initiatives of the MWCD toward the development of women:
Mahila e-Haat
It is a platform that offers an online marketing space for women. Women can display brochures or photographs of the clothes that they designed to sell.
Mahila e-Haat is a direct interface between seller and buyer. It contributes to the marketing of products made or designed by women entrepreneurs.
NARI
NARI is another initiative of the government. It boosts women’s empowerment. It stands for National Repository of Information for Women. Through this portal, women can easily access information about government schemes and initiatives for women.
Women can access the links to the Ministries and departments that offer women-related schemes. Some other information that women can get with the help of this portal are as follows:
- On major diseases, good nutrition, health check-ups
- On job search, interview, investment, and savings advice.
- On crimes against women and their reporting procedures.
- Contacts of legal help cells.