(This is the gist of paper presented by Vinod Kuriakose,India (2006):at UNDP forum -"A stronger E-Governance mean better and more doable MDG Agenda").
India with over one billion people and thirty-five state and provincial governments is certainly benefiting from e-governance. E-governance facilitate delivery of government services and benefits to large number of people. I believe that e-governance is improving governance at all levels. It not only increases the pace of growth of the country but is also increasing our global competitiveness.
E-governance helps both individual and society.
It helps individual in the following ways:
- Improve standard of living
- Provide better opportunities
- To know and avail his rights as a citizen of India
It helps the society in the following ways
- Reduces corruption at all levels
- Free availability of information to all
- Availability of opportunity to all
- Accountability in democracy
Increases Governmental efficiency
Impact of e-governance
India with over a billon people cannot transform overnight and adopt e-governance. It will definitely take time to reach and educate its entire people. Impact of e-governance is evident from the progress made by the Indian railways, the state websites with all relevant information, computerization of public offices etc.
How to promote e-governance?
There is a great need to promote e-governance to efficiently serve constituent needs. The prosperity of India depends on a uniform growth in both rural and urban fronts. The following areas need to be addressed to have uniform social and economic growth.
- Efficient and effective communication
- Greater participation of citizens
- Computerization of all public departments
- Adequate addressing of public grievances
- Clarity and transparency
- Awareness and education on e-governance at national and state level.
- Common service and delivery outlets
- Laws and information
I strongly believe that e-governance is the only strategic weapon that is available to bring equality and prosperity in the life of an Indian poor after 50 years of independence.
2006: UNDP -Forum on "A stronger E-Governance mean better and more doable MDG Agenda"