E-GOVERNANCE

Introduction

As we all know, each government department has lots and lots of work, be it paper work or
physical. Such huge amount of work when man-handled had more chances of errors which
raised the demand of technology in the government sector. This demand of technology lead
to the development of e-governance so as to save on cost and time and at the same time,
reduce the probability of errors in the work.

Through the means of electronic governance, government services are made available to
different sections of the economy in a suitable, systematic and transparent mode.

▪ e-Governance can be defined as the application of information and communication

technology (ICT) for providing government services, exchange of information,
transactions, integration of previously existing services and information portals.

▪ The “e” in e-Governance stands for ‘electronic’.

Meaning of E-Governance

As per the definition given in the Cambridge Dictionary, the term governance means the way
any organizations or countries are managed at the highest level, and the systems for doing
so. The “e” stands for electronic.

Electronic governance or e-governance can be defined as the application of information and

communication technology (ICT) for providing government services, exchange of
information, transactions, integration of previously existing services and information portals.

E-governance can be considered as a tool for leveraging the potential of ICT for
improving effectiveness of government activities,
strengthening democratic process which led to more empowered citizens and more
transparent government offices.

In the modern times, electronic governance has transformed from being “just another office
tool” to a powerful utility for innovation, change and a tool for rejuvenating public sector.

Objectives

▪ Better service delivery to citizens.

▪ Ushering in transparency and accountability.

▪ Empowering people through information.

 ▪ Improve efficiency within Government i.e between centre-state or inter-states.

▪ Improve interface with business and industry.

Elements of E-Governance

The 3 most basic and common groups that are involved with the process of governance are:

(1) Citizens / General Public

(2) Government’s own organs or departments

(3) Business groups / Investors

Types of E-Governance

E-governance can be divided into the following types, each serving different needs:

• Government-to-Citizen (G2C): Helps people get public services like paying taxes
online and document requests

• Government-to-Business (G2B): G2B helps the government and companies work

together for better bids and licenses.

• Government-to-Government (G2G): G2G aids in sharing info and working together

among different government departments.

• Government-to-Employee (G2E): G2E supports the government in managing workers

and internal communication.

Each type of electronic governance helps address distinct challenges and opportunities
such that benefits from digital transformation are diffused among all sectors. For example,
G2C initiatives might help fill the gap between rural and urban communities by providing
equal accessibility to vital services.

Advantages of E-Governance

(1) Transparency and accountability

(2) Better service delivery to citizens

(3) Citizen empowerment through access to information

(4) Minimal corruption in the administration

(5) Improved efficiency within Government departments and agencies

(6) Savings on cost and time

(7) Easy and quick implementation

(8) Better and easy communication

LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

1. Right to Information Act 2005

The Right to Information Act 2005 confers on the citizens the right to: i. inspect works,
documents and records of the government and its agencies; ii. take notes, extracts or
certified copies of documents or records; iii. take certified samples of material; and iv. obtain
information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other
electronic mode. This has ensured a transparent and accountable government to the
people. It has also established a two-way dialogue between the citizens and the
government. It has enabled citizens to make well-informed decisions. Further, it is an
important step towards tackling corruption and has ensured better monitoring of services
provided by the government. Right to Information Act 2005 The Right to Information Act 2005
confers on the citizens the right to: i. inspect works, documents and records of the
government and its agencies; ii. take notes, extracts or certified copies of documents or
records; iii. take certified samples of material; and iv. obtain information in form of printouts,
diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode. This has ensured
a transparent and accountable government to the people. It has also established a two-way
dialogue between the citizens and the government. It has enabled citizens to make well-
informed decisions. Further, it is an important step towards tackling corruption and has
ensured better monitoring of services provided by the government.

(2) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000

India is a country to have legal framework for all the ‘e’ (electronic) promulgated as the IT Act,
2000. The Act, also, effected the consequential amendments in the Indian Penal Code, The
Evidence Act, 1872, and The RBI Act, 1934, bringing all of them in line as per the
requirements of the digital transactions.

Ever gave a thought, what if all the data that is being provided by the citizens to the
government gets leak or is used for some other purpose ? Such issues are dealt by the IT Act
so as to not shaken the trust and confidentiality that a common person places in the
government.
Section 4 – Legal recognition of electronic records:

Whenever any law provides that information or any other matter shall be written, typewritten
or in printed form, information in electronic form would also be considered in the same. Such
information will also be accessible for subsequent references.

Section 5 – Legal recognition of digital signature:

Wherever a person’s signature is required to authenticate a document or information, it can

also be authenticated by the digital signature, in the manner prescribed by the government.

Section 6 – Use of electronic records and signature in government and it’s agencies:

If a citizen needs to file a form, application or a document with government owned or

controlled office, agency, body or authority or grant or issue any license, sanction, permit or
approval or receive or pay money, it can also be done in an electronic form in the
government-approved format.

Section 7 – Retention of electronic record:

Whereever, a law requires the retention of certain records, documents or information for a
specific period, such retention can also be made in the electronic form, provided that, such
information is accessible, usable for subsequent reference, format of electronic record must
be original and represent the original information and the electronic record contains the
necessary details as stated by the law.

Section 8 – Publication of rule, regulation, etc., in Electronic Gazette:

Official regulation, rule, by-law, notification or any other matter in the Official Gazette can
be published either in Official Gazette or Electronic Gazette. The date of publication will be
the date of the Gazette first published in any form – Official or Electronic.

Section 43 – Penalty and compensation for damage to computer:

Though there are systems like cryptography, passwords, to ensure the security of the
document, but this still pose threat to the Government due to other measures adopted by
hackers. This section provides protection against unauthorized access of the computer
system by imposing heavy penalty.

Section 69 – Power to issue directions for interception or monitoring or decryption of

any information through any computer resource:

In the Case of PUCL v. UOI it was held that the procedure is inadequate as the Controller
has been given discretionary power and there is no mention of consultation with the accused
before punishing him. Therefore proper guidelines needs to be provided in this regard for
maintaining the balance between the right to privacy of the citizens and the provision of the
search and seizure under the Act.

Section 72 – Penalty for breach of confidentiality and privacy:

This section is targeted only towards the officials who are empowered to collect the data
under the Act but the scope only extends to the Adjudicating officers, members of the Cyber
Regulations Appellate Tribunal (CRAT) or certifying Authorities under the Act if they commit
breach of confidentiality or privacy of any data accessible by them.

3. Common Minimum Programme

The importance of e-governance has been recognised in the Common Minimum

Programmeof the UPA Government, which inter-alia states that e-governance will be
promoted on amassive scale. It made a solemn pledge to the people of the country with a
government thatwould be corruption free, transparent and accountable; and an
administration that would be responsible and responsive at all times.

4. National E-Governance Plan

Three important elements of the National E-Governance Plan, which form the core
infrastructure for effective service delivery are Networks and Common Service Centres. The
10-point agenda of the Department of Information Technology announced for growth of ICT
in the country includes expeditious implementation of a ‘National E-Governance Plan’ to
bring about transparency and citizen centric approach in administration.

5. Expert Committee

An expert committee had also been constituted for the amendments in the IT Act 2000 to
include the technological developments post IT Act 2000. The Expert Committee completed
its deliberations and submitted its report in August 2005. Now the Expert Committee’s
recommendations have been put on the website of the Department of Information
Technology for inviting public views and suggestions. The Committee, during its
deliberations, analysed some of the relevant experiences and international best practices.
The Committee, while formulating its recommendations, kept in view the twin objectives of:
(i) using IT as a tool for socio-economic development and employment generation; and (ii)
further consolidation of India’s position as a major global player in IT sector.

6. Digital India Initiatives

▪ It is an umbrella program to prepare India for a knowledge-based transformation.

▪ It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single comprehensive
vision so that each of them is seen as part of a larger goal.
 ▪ It has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(Meity).

Challenges to e governance

▪ Infrastructure

▪ Lack of basic infrastructural facilities like electricity, internet, etc.

▪ Initiatives like BharatNet and Saubhagya are steps taken in this

regard.
▪ Cost

▪ e-Governance measures are costly affairs and require huge public

expenditure.
▪ In developing countries like India, the cost of projects is one of the major
impediments in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
▪ Privacy and Security

▪ Recent spark in data leak cases has threatened the peoples’ faith in e-
governance. Therefore, the implementation of e-governance projects
must have security standards and protocols for safeguarding the
interest of all classes of masses.
▪ Digital Divide

▪ Huge gap between users and non-users of e-govt. services.

▪ The digital divide takes form in rich-poor, male-female, urban-rural etc
segments of the population.

▪ The gap needs to be narrowed down, then only the benefits of e-

governance would be utilized equally.
Conclusion

Although, the Government of India is acclaiming its success in the area of e-governance but
the scenario at the grass root level is not overwhelming and seamless efforts of the
government seems to go in vain. Electronic governance is getting momentum in India, but
public awareness and the digital divide are important issues to be addressed.
The success of electronic governance measures largely depends on the availability of high-
speed internet, and the nation-wide roll-out of 5G technology in the near future will
strengthen our resolve.

▪ e-Governance is getting momentum in India, but public awareness and the digital
divide are important issues to be addressed.

▪ The success of e-Governance measures largely depends on the availability of high-

speed internet, and the nation-wide roll-out of 5G technology in the near future will
strengthen our resolve.