This article is written by Vanya Verma from Alliance University, Bengaluru. This article talks about e-governance and how it has helped to shape India in various sectors like healthcare, agriculture, fin-tech, etc. Further, this article also talks about the advantages and disadvantages of e-governance and suggestions for the government to improve the e-governance sector in India.
Table of Contents
Introduction
E-Governance is a term that refers to the use of information technology and communication for governance. Information can be transparently delivered to the public through e-Governance. E-Governance thus helps in enhancing and redefining the social, environmental, and economic values of citizens.
What is e-Governance
Countries throughout the world have implemented electronic government or e-Government. E-Governance has become essential in a fast-growing and demanding economy like India. Because of the expansion of digitization, many governments around the world are introducing and incorporating technology into their government processes. The government’s use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to offer and facilitate government services, information exchange, communication transactions, and the integration of diverse stand-alone systems and services is known as electronic governance or e-Governance. To put it another way, it’s the use of technology to carry out government tasks and achieve goals. Government services are made available to citizens and companies in a simple, efficient, and transparent manner through e-Governance. Digital India, the National Portal of India, the Prime Minister of India’s portal, Aadhar, online tax filing and payment, digital land management systems, and the Common Entrance Test are all examples of e-Governance.
E-Governance portal
The Indian e-Governance platform can be accessed through https://nceg.gov.in. On this website, one can find detailed information about the National Conference on e-Governance as well as reports from previous conferences. The portal also includes links to the following relevant pages:
- Digital India: Under digital India, the government has initiated many programs for the empowerment of citizens, some of which have been discussed in the article below.
- National Portal of India: This portal provides access to information and services that are being provided by the government
- PM India Website: This website provides information related to the office of the Prime Minister.
Interactions in e-Governance
In e-Governance, there are four types of interactions:
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Government to Citizens (G2C)
- These are interactions between the government and the citizens.
- Citizens can benefit from the efficient delivery of a wide range of public services as a result of this.
- Improves the quality of government services by increasing their accessibility and availability.
- The major goal is to make the government more accessible to citizens i.e. citizen-friendly
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Government to Business (G2B)
- It uses e-Governance tools to allow the business community to communicate with the government.
- The goal is to remove red-tapism, which will save time and money in the long run. When working with customers, this will help in promoting a more transparent atmosphere for the company.
- When working with the government, this will help in promoting a more transparent corporate environment.
- Licensing, procurement, permits, and tax collection are just a few of the services that G2B initiatives help with.
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Government to Government (G2G)
- It allows for seamless communication between government agencies.
- This type of interaction can occur between government departments and agencies, or between two governments, such as the union government and state governments, or between the state governments.
- The major goal is to boost efficiency, productivity, and output.
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Government to Employees (G2E)
- This type of engagement occurs between government officials and their workforce.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools make these interactions faster and more efficient, resulting in higher employee satisfaction.
Citizen friendly initiatives by the government on e-Governance
Digital India Initiative
In 2015, the Digital India Initiative (DII) that is an initiative of ‘Digital India’ had announced a flagship program by the government and the program aimed at several smartphones to transform India into a digital economy with the participation of both the citizens and business. It promises to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy with high intellectual capital.
The Digital India initiative, in general, aims to assist in achieving the following visions:
- Digital Infrastructure as a utility for every citizen
- Governance and services on demand
- Citizen digital empowerment
In recent years, the government has taken several steps to improve citizen-friendly e-Governance. Because our country has such a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and trait features, some of the projects can be described as “unique to our country.”
The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) gives a comprehensive overview of e-Governance activities throughout the country. A major countrywide infrastructure, stretching down to the most remote villages, is being built around this concept, and large-scale record digitization is going to be undertaken to provide easy dependable internet access.
Under the Digital India program, the government has recommended implementing “e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) 2.0.“
e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery of Services
The Digital India plan relies heavily on e-Kranti. The government has approved the approach and essential components of e-Kranti, citing the vital need for e-Governance, mobile governance, and good governance in the country.
The e-Kranti framework targets the electronic delivery of services through a portfolio of mission mode initiatives across various government agencies.
Objectives of e-Kranti
The initiative’s key goals are to:
- Redefine NeGP through transformational and result-oriented e-Government initiatives.
- Increase the number of citizen-centric services in the portfolio.
- Ensure that essential Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is used to its full potential (ICT).
- Encourage the replication and integration of e-Government applications as quickly as possible.
- Make use of new technologies.
- Use a more flexible implementation model.
Other e-Governance initiatives
India’s digital identity infrastructure
The Unique Identification Authority of India has launched an ambitious e-Governance project, Unique Identification (UID). The UID seeks to provide a real-time service for authenticating the identification of every Indian resident using biometrics and demographic data via the Aadhaar number. The government has started delivering services and implementing several social programs that aim at improving and benefiting the bottom line of citizens in society. Furthermore, governments have been effective in tying Aadhaar numbers to a variety of social systems, including LPG subsidies, student scholarships, pensions, and the Public Distribution System (PDS), to ensure that benefits are only distributed to authorized individuals. UMANG gives access to more than 200 e-Government services from the Centre, States, and even municipal governments and other private agencies via their mobile phone. Citizens can access UMANG services through a variety of channels, including a mobile app, the web, IVR, and SMS, which may be accessible via smartphones, feature phones, desktops, and tablets.
India’s payment infrastructure
Through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) almost every citizen has benefited from the development of unified platforms and applications that promote and facilitate digital financial transactions. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is one such system that combines many banking services, seamless fund routing, and merchant payments into a single mobile application (from any participating bank). The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) software has made digital financial transactions simpler, easier, and faster for the general public. The application is one-of-a-kind since the Aadhaar number is linked to a mobile number.
Electronic payment of (telephone & electricity) bills
The Maharashtra Electricity Corporation has implemented a system that allows citizens to pay their monthly electricity bills electronically, avoiding the need to go to the corporation’s or post office’s receipt counters and stand in long lines to pay their bills. So it is with BSNL – Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, which offers its subscribers the option of paying their phone bills online from their homes. Subscribers who pay their bills electronically receive a 1% discount from BSNL.
Electronic payment of insurance premiums
To reduce inconveniences, the Life Insurance Corporation of India accepts premium payments from policyholders via electronic means.
E-Banking
The Automate Tailor-Made Machine technology has already gained popularity for cash withdrawals using ATM cards by bank account holders of several banks. Different banks run a variety of ATM counters in various towns and locations.
E-Ticketing
Railway commuters will benefit greatly from the Indian railways’ introduction of the ability to book reservation tickets for all classes via email. This is available for a little fee. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) application is a widely used government website for this service.
E-Post
On request from clients, post offices have begun sending mail and messages via email. On the other end, the post office arranges for the delivery and secrecy of such mails, saving time and money in the delivery of letters.
E-Applications
The Maharashtra Technical Education Department has developed a single-window electronic application system for all technical degree and diploma courses offered by Maharashtra State institutions, this also includes private technical institutions by the aspirants. Thousands of students who apply for these courses will save time, money, and energy as a result of this.
E-Trading on the stock exchange
The stock exchange’s thunderous ring is now history. Through electronic trading, one can trade on the stock exchange from his house, thousands of miles away.
E-Learning
Students and teachers can update their learning and abilities by using a variety of e-learning programs. The Eklavya channel, which was developed by the IITs of the country, makes classroom lectures available online offered by its top faculty members from anywhere in the country.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
The government has implemented GeM to improve public procurement transparency, efficiency, and speed. It offers technologies such as e-bidding, reverse e-auction, and demand aggregation to help government users get the most value for their money.
E- Pramaan
By verification of the credentials of e-Pramaan customers accessing various e-Government services via the internet or mobile devices, e-Pramaan provides safe authentication with varying levels of assurance. E-Pramaan promotes uniformity in authentication methods and eliminates the need for residents to produce various types of identity proofs to access public services. Thousands of pensioners in the country will benefit from this application.
Role of telecom sector in implementation and sustenance of e-Governance
The most significant component is e-access connectivity to access all citizen services. The telecom sector plays a critical role in this area since it will aid in the realization of the ‘Digital India’ vision and support inclusive growth. Telecom infrastructure, in particular, lays the groundwork for achieving the country’s goals of a broadband highway that connects rural and urban areas, universal access to mobile connections, public internet access, and the development of smart cities. Through different policy supports, the government of India (GoI) has played a vital role in strengthening the telecom sector.
E-Governance initiatives in the telecom industry
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Provision of Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund
The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has been envisioned through NTP-1999, to provide a balance between the provision of Universal Service to all uncovered areas, including rural areas. So far the country has been able to assist in the deployment and strengthening of telecom infrastructure in rural, under-served, and inaccessible areas of the country.
National Broadband Policy, 2004
The availability of high-speed, low-cost broadband as the underlying telecom infrastructure is critical for providing ubiquitous e-Government access to all residents. In this regard, the National Broadband Policy of 2004 can be viewed as the government’s first move toward the telecom sector in implementing e-Government.
National Telecom Policy, 2012
The provision of broadband infrastructure is critical to the country’s residents’ digital inclusion. There has been a direct link between broadband penetration and the country’s GDP. Recognizing this, the government’s vision statement, the National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP-2012), envisions leveraging telecommunications as a platform to change the country into an empowered and inclusive knowledge-based society. To guarantee equitable and inclusive growth, one of the goals of NTP, 2012 was to enable residents to engage in and contribute to e-Government in critical sectors like health, education, skill development, employment, government, and banking.
Digital India and implementation of BharatNet
The Government of India established the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) in 2011 as part of a drive to expand broadband infrastructure by providing access to 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats across the country in a phased way, ensuring broadband connections with enough bandwidth. G2C, B2B, P2P, B2C, and other services covering e-education, remote health monitoring, e-governance, weather, agriculture, and other areas can be accessible by the general public through NOFN. NOFN was later upgraded to a full-fledged project BharatNet to achieve the goals and objectives of the ‘Digital India’ movement.
UPSWAN
In line with the advantages of e-Government, Airtel has created a future-ready State Wide Area Network (SWAN) for Uttar Pradesh that would ensure successful e-delivery of government services to the state’s inhabitants. This program, known as UPSWAN 2.0, is one of the largest of its kind in India, and it intends to connect all of Uttar Pradesh’s headquarters (state, district, block, and tehsil).
This means that inhabitants of the state of Uttar Pradesh, including those living in remote areas, will be able to use the internet to access a variety of government-related services, such as application filing and certificate issuance.
UPSWAN 2.0 is powered by Airtel Business, a significant provider of ICT services to Indian governments, corporations, and organizations. It has the potential to usher in a digital revolution in Uttar Pradesh and build the groundwork for future smart cities around the state. This can then be carried out across the country.
Initiatives by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to synergize the e-Governance initiatives by the government
Delivering Broadband Quickly
In April 2015, TRAI proposed to the government that all Right of Way (RoW) proposals at the state and federal levels for the expansion of broadband be cleared through a single-window and time-bound process. TRAI has also advised governments to serve as model users and anchor tenants by providing e-Government services such as e-education, e-Governance, m-health, m-banking, and other similar services, as well as providing broadband connectivity to government schools in rural and remote areas through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) subsidy.
Implementation of BharatNet
In February 2016, TRAI sent its Implementation Strategy for BharatNet recommendations to the government, recommending a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that aligns private incentives with long-term service delivery, similar to the Build-Own-Operate Transfer (BOOT)/Build-Operate-Transfer models, as the preferred option for the national broadband network, BharatNet.
USSD based mobile banking transactions
In rural areas, a huge percentage of people have (basic) phones. Banking transactions can be completed using a USSD-based program on a simple feature phone. In November 2016, the TRAI reduced the ceiling tariff to a maximum of 50 paise per transaction, each with 8 stages, from an earlier rate of Rs 1.50 per session, each with 5 stages, to bring relief to the public and broaden financial inclusion.
Aadhaar based e-KYC norms
TRAI has recommended to the government that the electronic KYC of Aadhaar be accepted as one of the valid papers for obtaining a new mobile connection. As a result, the Government established e-KYC rules in August 2016 to make the application and authentication process for subscribers faster and easier.
Broadband penetration through public Wi-Fi
To increase Internet penetration in the country, the TRAI issued a report in March 2017 titled ‘Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Networks,’ which included recommendations for the government to overcome regulatory and commercial barriers that could stifle the growth of scalable and ubiquitous WiFi in the country.
Bridging the affordability gap
In December 2016, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued recommendations on ‘Encouraging Data Usage in Rural Areas via Provisioning of Free Data,’ recommending that a fair quantity of data say 100 MB per month, be made accessible for free to rural users. The scheme’s implementation costs may be covered by the USOF.
Many initiatives listed above will undoubtedly aid in the spread of eGovernment services to citizens. These will also aid in the transformation of India into a digitally empowered society, as well as the improvement of system transparency and accountability.
E-Governance in healthcare services
Innovations in the healthcare services include services that provide information on various health topics, as well as online registration for patients and clinics, organization licensing, recording donor availability, drug stock management, patient tracking, and monitoring, disease surveillance, patient messaging, patient records, and disability certification. On the situation of health e-Governance, research was made by Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of Tamil Nadu. The research defines Tamil Nadu’s Health Management Information System (HMIS), which connects institutions and brings together real-time data at the state level. It keeps track of individual patient information that can be used to plan healthcare and manage medicine inventories. It also serves to evaluate the performance of healthcare institutions.
Examples of e-governance in the healthcare sector
- National Health Portal: This site contains health information for citizens.
- M-diabetes: It is an application for diabetes messaging. http://mdiabetes.nhp.gov.in/
- Online Registry of Clinical Establishments: This rovides for registration and regulation of all clinical establishments in the country with a view to prescribe the minimum standards of facilities and services provided by them.
- Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) page on the National Portal of India: The site can be used for issuing licenses to food business operators. It also provides information on legislation, food standards, and safe food practices.
- National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO): Web portal for donor registration and retrieval.
- National Identification Number (NIN) to Health Facilities: A web application for registration.
- National Health Portal Directory Services: Mobile application holding blood bank information.
- Nikshay: Online tracking of TB patients.
- Online registration system: Services include fee payment, online diagnostic reports, and ensuring availability of blood.
- Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): Online portal for data entry, reports, data analysis, and training modules.
- Vaccine tracker: Parents can track the immunizations of their children. Part of the national health portal.
- Health Management Information System (HMIS): This monitors programs under National Health Mission.
- M-Cessation mobile app: The Government of India has introduced the M-Cessation mobile app nationwide to help people stop smoking.
- Swasth Bharat (Disease, Lifestyle, First Aid): Online information aims to empower citizens to find reliable health information.
- Kilkari: A blog post on the GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association) website describes Kilkari, a mobile health education service reaching two million subscribers in its first year of launch. Nationwide, it delivers free, time-appropriate audio messages about pregnancy, childbirth, and child care.
E-governance and agriculture
Several examples of government involvement in agriculture-related ICT appear to provide similar services: knowledge distribution, weather reporting, and market information. There is also a program to keep track of pests and diseases. The National Portal of India‘s agriculture division gives access to online services and forms. It keeps you up to date on the latest news and policy developments.
The National Portal of India’s agriculture department offers services, documents, and forms, as well as news and policy information. Farmers and fishers can renew crop protection licenses, seek subsidies, request land, and apply for agricultural income certification. Details of grant requests are available through the site from various government ministries.
Examples of e-governance in the agriculture sector
In the agricultural industry, examples of e-Governance include:
E-Panchayat
The e-Panchayat initiative is an e-governance effort for the rural sector that aims to act as a self-government system. Local voices will be able to share practical stories and difficulties through this platform.
Farmer Portal
The Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Portal intends to provide information and services to strengthen existing distribution routes. Its goal is to bring together market data, production, storage, and sales information, as well as a feedback module for responding to questions.
The fertilizer monitoring system
The government of India funds the fertilizer monitoring system, which collects data at various levels of the value chain. It connects farmers to private-sector product information from private companies.
Kisan Suvidha
Kisan Suvidha is a Digital India program that provides information to farmers via a mobile app. Farmers can receive weather alerts, market pricing, seed and fertilizer availability, agro advisories, and other information.
Pusa Krishi
Pusa Krishi is a field-based app for farmers. It gives meteorological data so that farmers can take precautions to save their crops. It includes details on new crop types, resource conservation techniques, and farm machinery.
mkisan
mkisan is a mobile-based advice service that connects call centres to research centres. Farmers are provided with timely, detailed, holistic, and needs-based information. It delivers information in the local language of the farmers.
Soil Health Card
Soil Health Card encourages the use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures as part of an integrated nutrient management strategy. It provides recommendations based on soil tests and guarantees fertilizer quality management. It is widely used.
Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project (CROPSAP)
Crop Pest Surveillance and Advisory Project (CROPSAP) is a Maharashtra government initiative. It helps with pest monitoring in real-time and the use of communication technology to raise awareness and provide training. Pesticides are subsidized and campaigns are organized when pest levels reach a specific threshold. As a result of the usage of this technology, the government was able to contribute to the agricultural industry’s well-being.
National Agriculture Market (eNAM)
National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal that uses a government platform to create a national market for agricultural goods. Commodity arrivals and pricing are included in this. It allows for certain buying and selling opportunities.
AgMarknet
AgMarknet is a government portal that delivers agricultural market statistics and pricing trends.
Agrimarket App
The Agrimarket App is a government program designed to keep farmers up to date on agricultural prices so they may maximize profit. It uses GPS to offer information that is relevant to the area.
There is also a crop insurance mobile app- http://mkisan.gov.in/downloadmobileapps.aspx
E-Governance in the sector of water, sanitation, and hygiene
The Central Pollution Control Board’s website lists e-Governance sites for pollution monitoring and reporting. To gain access, you must register first. It also includes forms for filing a legal lawsuit, inspection reporting forms, a system for entering air and water quality data, and a complaints portal.
Pest/disease management, groundwater level improvement, water efficiency, urban flood management, and water quality monitoring via a wireless sensor network system is among the IT-based Innovations in the Sustainability of Water Resources. It’s unclear how up-to-date these are.
Examples
NextDrop
NextDrop collects data for water distribution networks to discover issues in metropolitan areas.
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation website contains information about open defecation. For each region, data on ‘open defecation free villages are displayed. The site provides access to guidelines, technical notes, studies, and surveys. FAQs, progress updates, grievance forms, and sanitation recommendations are available to citizens.
The Water Resources Informatics Division
The Water Resources Informatics Division strives to bring together fundamental technologies and governance to provide web-based services. There is no mention of how this will be accomplished or what it would look like.
Swachh Bharat
The Swachh Bharat app is part of a clean-up movement in India, and it allows you to share before and after images of your contributions.
FinTech
Computer programs and other technologies used to support or enable banking and financial services are referred to as FinTech. In the case of e-Governance, this would entail electronic financial transactions between the government and the general public. This sector of India is described as “emerging and dynamic.”
Examples
Jan Dhan Yojana
The government’s Jan Dhan Yojana program attempts to enhance access to financial services for those who do not have a bank account. Account-holders get access to insurance and loan advantages, as well as mobile banking.
A consultant report on FinTech policy in India focuses on the private sector rather than e-Government. It emphasizes the government’s regulatory role in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, claiming that India has the second-largest number of FinTech start-ups in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aadhaar
Aadhaar is a policy tool for promoting financial inclusion, fiscal budget management, and people-centric governance. Its goal is to eradicate falsified identification to create more transparent social programs.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
Direct Benefit Transfer is meant to improve the flow of information and cash. Its goal is to ensure accurate beneficiary targeting while reducing duplication and fraud.
For DBT, linking bank accounts with Aadhaar will enable more effective tracking and monitoring of transfer of benefits. It will also eliminate the leakage and duplication of the beneficiaries.
Consumers will get subsidies directly into their bank accounts under the DBT plan, and the subsidized goods will be sold at market pricing. This will prevent pilferage, adulteration, and other fraud while also ensuring that subsidies are delivered to those who need them.
eTaal
eTaal collects data on e-transactions from national and state-level e-Government projects. It’s used for rapid transaction analysis.
Paygov India
Through Paygov India, the citizens can access a variety of services through a single gateway thanks to a common e-Governance architecture that provides an end-to-end transactional experience.
Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
The Public Financial Management System (PFMS) is a networked system that connects Ministries and Departments of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Mizoram. It will be implemented across the country to connect the financial networks of the federal government and state entities.
Single Window Interface For Trade (SWIFT)
SWIFT is one of the “Ease of Doing Business” programs. In India, this project encourages cross-border trade. It allows importers and exporters to lodge clearance paperwork and request authorization from other regulatory bodies through customs services. Efficiency is improved if the amount spent on interacting with the government is reduced.
DigiLocker
The DigiLocker was created as a vital tool for storing key documents in the cloud, such as voter ID cards, Pan cards, BPL cards, driver’s licenses, and education certificates. The user’s Aadhar number is linked to the 10 MB personal storage space.
To limit the danger of data theft or misuse, it will be critical to deploy high-end encryption technology and data compartmentalization to protect data security and privacy. It will also be important to ensure that other government departments use this service to help remove unnecessary costs.
Role of Hitachi in e-Governance
Hitachi is an important part of India’s persistent push towards digitally empowered e-Government. Hitachi is a world leader in social innovation business solutions, and its projects are constantly increasing citizens’ social, environmental, and economic values, resulting in three value propositions. They converge into ‘Powering Good,’ a society that effectively bridges the need gap between itself and the government, according to Hitachi.
India has adopted several steps over the years to promote e-Governance more broadly and improve the dissemination of public services to its inhabitants. Its main foundations have been people, process, technology, and resources.
Hitachi helps in merging data, technology, and governance as a force for the government to accelerate social change and address the importance of utilizing data generated through various e-Government programs to optimize decision-making.
KV Shaala Darpan, an educational e-Governance platform for Kendriya Vidyalayas and a pan-India remote education system developed for the Ministry of Human Resource Development; and the police modernization program in Bihar under the homeland security solution are among Hitachi’s most recent and notable transformational works.
The Ministry of Agriculture received World Bank funds to rehabilitate its network and create a data-centric environment, which was finished during the COVID lockdown in 2020. All cooperative activities Hitachi has done with the government incorporating ‘Connected Citizen’ solutions have emphasized innovation as the backbone of development, supporting social innovation for greater societal benefits.
Role of Hitachi in education
India’s National Policy on Education 2020 sets the country on a path toward a modern, futuristic, and imaginative educational system. It is technologically driven and instills a scientific mindset.
To support this purpose, Hitachi’s robust e-Governance platform for e-Education encourages participation from stakeholders such as parents and ensures uniformity and standardization of policy, process, and program implementation throughout the institution’s many branches. The platform also handles the time-consuming components of teaching, allowing school administration and faculty to focus on what they do best that is imparting knowledge.
Kendriya Vidyalaya Shaala Darpan, an e-Governance platform for all Kendriya Vidyalayas, was also built by Hitachi MGRM Net. The platform makes use of information and communication technology to improve academic delivery in all Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Schools.
Aside from that, Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic has provided and installed smart digital boards at 109 colleges across India. The goal of the initiative is to improve the quality of engineering education in existing institutions, with a focus on low-income and special category states.
Role of Hitachi in homeland security
The primary areas of attention in e-Government, which also includes modernization of police, are mobile-based emergency services and disaster management.
In Bihar, Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic collaborated with the government to digitize all police stations. This has made it easier for residents to file a complaint online, provided police with relevant and timely information, and aided in the investigation of crimes as well as the tracking and detection of criminals. Its goal in the future is to stimulate inter-state police collaboration by making the collection of data easier to record, retrieve, analyze, and share.
Role of Hitachi in public utilities
Hitachi has played a key role in several government public-utility initiatives that have improved citizen service. Hitachi recently worked in Gujarat with a large power trading, generation, transmission, and distribution company to upgrade the networking infrastructure for its 800 locations. Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic assisted in the refreshment of network hardware at all connected 805 locations with enhanced, feature-rich, design-centric cutting-edge data centre architecture, ensuring that revenue leakage is identified and people have access to electricity at a reasonable cost through improved efficiency.
Role of Hitachi in farmland
e-Kranti, a national e-Governance plan 2.0 is currently in place to modernize the country’s agriculture operations. Hitachi has aided in the development of disaster recovery data center infrastructure, including a robust, future-ready physical and information security architecture. The project necessitates the provision, installation, and configuration of essential ICT and physical infrastructure, all of which Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic solutions have provided.
The dissemination of information and inputs to the last mile, i.e. farmers, is critical to the success of digital transformation in Indian agriculture. Hitachi MGRM Net is collaborating with the government, the public sector, and the private sector to provide end-to-end farmer-centric solutions, such as educating farmer groups on the latest farming technologies, agriculture extension, remote help for issues, promotion of agriculture as a business, and required knowledge sharing and training.
Hitachi’s cutting-edge technology, industry-leading processes, and strong cooperation have sparked a social revolution in India. It is creating an e-Governance environment that is robust, efficient, and effective for all stakeholders, particularly citizens. It’s a crucial step toward the country’s rise as a worldwide manufacturing and economic powerhouse.
Advantages of e-Governance
Speedier services
One of the most significant benefits of e-Governance is its speed. Government services are delivered quickly and right to your door, saving you time. In the same way, if you have any questions, you can contact the government directly. This allows for immediate two-way contact between citizens and government entities, eliminating the need for middlemen and lengthy waiting periods.
Empowers citizens by providing them improved access
E-Governance has eliminated the problem of being unable to access certain government services due to physical limits, unclear wait periods, or even ignorance. With only a few clicks, you may now access a variety of services from the convenience of your own home.
Leads to cost and time-effectiveness
Traditional methods of data storage and indiscriminate use of stationery have been replaced by e-Governance. You can now save data in the cloud and communicate via the internet. This not only saves money and time, but it also proved to be a safer way to handle big amounts of public data.
Transparency in processes
Transparency between the government and private persons is ensured by e-Governance projects. You can complete applications online, check their status, learn about any delays, and much more, all from the convenience of your own home. In addition, unlike in the past, you may now keep track of processes online.
Governments are held to a higher standard of accountability
All of the aforementioned advantages are inextricably related to accountability. Governments become more accountable and answerable to individuals through e-Governance, which provides minimal room for uncertainty or distortion. This enhances the citizen-government interaction and fosters confidence.
Disadvantages of e-Governance
Loss of interpersonal communication
The loss of interpersonal communication is the fundamental downside of e-Governance. Many people believe interpersonal communication to be an important part of communication.
Technical difficulties and high setup costs
Technology is not without its drawbacks. The setup costs are very significant, and the devices must be serviced regularly. Computers and the internet can frequently fail, disrupting government work and services.
Illiteracy
In India, a vast percentage of individuals are uneducated and have no idea how to use computers or smartphones. They have a hard time accessing and understanding e-Governance.
Personal information leakage/cybercrime
There is always the potential of citizens’ personal information being taken from government servers. Cybercrime is a severe problem; a data breach can cause the public to lose faith in the government’s capacity to manage them.
Suggestions
To ensure the success of its digital projects, the government will need to take action in a variety of sectors, some of which are listed below:
Regulatory environment
The government should concentrate on enacting laws that ensure that digital services are adopted smoothly to use these services.
Effective implementation
For effective implementation, there are two main imperatives to consider, which are as follows:
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Enhancement of abilities
Through training programs or the hiring of private sector expertise, the government should focus on improving the skills of its personnel. The government can work with the business sector through a public-private partnership (PPP), consultancy assignments, and other methods.
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Implementation and planning
Agile implementation approaches should be adopted by the government, as well as system integrators designing diverse platforms. The platforms created should be ‘future-proof,’ that is, they should be able to be upgraded and scaled cost-effectively.
Budgetary restrictions
The government should make the most of the available resources, such as manpower, budgets, and private-sector funds, and put in place monitoring measures to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately. For supporting these efforts, banking institutions should be more lenient in their credit appraisal process.
Overcome the digital divide
For bridging the digital divide, there are two key imperatives:
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Citizens’ capability enhancement
The government should communicate information through many channels and instruct residents on how to use technological gadgets and various interfaces so that residents can benefit from Digital India programs (e.g. web portals, apps, etc.).
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Digital service design
Governments should create intuitive interfaces that are simple to use. This is an area where private sector expertise can be used. Simple process flows should be designed by service providers (e.g., government organizations, colleges, etc.) so that a user may complete transactions with minimal human interaction.
Privacy and security
The government and system integrators should ensure that the most up-to-date security protocols are used (e.g. 256-bit AES encryption, etc.). The government should enact appropriate privacy policies to ensure that information is not exploited by those who have access to it.
Conclusion
E-Government can significantly change how the government functions both internally and outside. E-Government is much more than a tool for improving public service cost-quality ratios. It is a reform tool and a tool for government transformation. As a result, e-Government is about transforming the way the government does business and delivers services, not just automating existing operations which may or may not be effective.
Resources
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