Syllabus

UNIT – I
1. Elements, forms & Concept of Good Governance.
2. Kautilya & Good governance.
3. Theories & Concept of governance
4. World Bank & UNDP.
UNIT – II
5. Digital Governance: Concepts, scope and Significance.
6. Issues and challenges : Digital Divide, Privacy and cyber Security, capacity building.
7. Democracy, information, social media platforms, drivers and barriers of open
Digital Governance.
8. Social Media Platforms: problems of control and misinformation.
UNIT – III
9. Introduction to disaster, Types of Disaster.
10.Disaster management Act, 2005.
11. Sendai Framework for Disaster risk reduction 2015-2030.
12.Management of Disasters in India with Special reference to Covid 19.
UNIT – IV
13.E-Governance initiatives in Indian Administration.
14.E-governance Issues Challenges & Strategies.
15.I. T Policy of Himachal Pradesh& its Role in governance. .
16.Concept of Lok MitraKendras.

*****

1
 CHAPTER-1
Elements, Forms and Concept of Good Governance

Structure

1.0 Learning Objectives

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Concept and Meaning of Good Governance
1.3 Significance of Good Governance
1.4 Elements and Forms of Good Governance
1.5 Good Governance Initiatives in Indian Context
1.6 Issues and Challenges in Good Governance
1.7 Self-Check Exercise
1.8 Summary
1.9 Glossary
1.10 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
1.11 Suggested Reading
1.12 Terminal Questions
1.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Trace the origin of Good Governance
• Analyse the concept of Good Governance
• Provide difference between Governance from Good Governance
• Highlight the type and key characteristics of Good Governance
• Enlisted Governance initiatives in the Indian context
1.1 Introduction
Governance is a buzzword now days and you might be listening and reading this word in
daily life. People might be talking about the good governance in the southern Indian states leading to
better performance in various areas of development, as compared to some other states. Former UN
Secretary General, Kofi Annan said “good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in

2
eradicating poverty and promoting development”. Therefore, knowing about the meaning of governance
has become important in studying development.Governance is characterized mainly by transparency,
accountability, participation, rule of law, and efficiency. Good governance would promote and ensure
development. It is believed that sound economic policies and democratic institutions that are
responsive to people’s needs are instrumental for sustained economic growth, poverty eradication,
and employment generation.
Governments have always been entrusted with the task of governing or managing. The
traditional approach to governance was based on the premise that the government was solely
responsible for formulating and implementing policy decisions. There has been excessive reliance
on bureaucratic forms of organisations, hierarchy, adherence to rules and regulations, notions of
permanence and neutrality, and citizens have been treated as passive acceptors of goods and services.
But the current notion implies greater participation by the citizens in the affairs of the government to
strengthen the quality and effectiveness of policy making and outcomes. There is an increasing
realisation that State power is immense and hence to check its abuse, effectiveness and efficiency
need to be brought into the State institutions and processes. Governance intends to achieve this
objective.
In general, governance is associated with efficient and effective administration in a democratic
framework. It involves the exercise of political, economic and administrative powers in managing
the country’s affairs, and includes the processes of formulation as well as implementation of
decisions.While governance, on the one hand, deals with collaborative partnership, networking
which is necessary for policy formulation, and implementation, Good Governance on the other hand,
attempts to make this activity not just efficient and effective but also more accountable, democratic
and responsive to the public needs.
1.2 Concept and Meaning of Good Governance
The concept of governance, which assumed significance since 1989 with the advocacy by the
World Bank, is considered by some as not a new term. Pierre and Peters (2000) consider that the
term was first used in France in the 14th century where it meant ‘a seat of government’. The World
Bank is said to have reinvented it, in a different context, as a new approach to development.
Globalisation has resulted in generation of global pressures exerted by institutions such as the World
Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the form of economic reforms programmes to be
adhered to, especially by the developing countries. The aid given to these countries is accompanied
by certain market-oriented reforms.
It has been observed that after a certain period of time, the results as expected out of this new
thinking have not been forthcoming or the growth has been slower than originally anticipated. The
failure of Structural Adjustment Programme, ineffective utilisation of public funds, increasing
corruption, the collapse of centrally planned economies, mounting fiscal debt etc. have raised critical
questions about governance system. This has actually made the World Bank examine and publish its
first major analyses based on the experience of Sub-Saharan Africa in 1989. The Bank published its

3
document entitled “Sub-Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth”, which brought to light
the key factors that thwarted the implementation of successful market-oriented reforms. The major
factor was considered to be the failure of public institutions, which has been responsible for weak
economic performance. As a result, the need for Good Governance was emphasised. The Bank
considered Good Governance as sound development management. It, as per the Bank, has four main
dimensions: a) Public Sector Management, b) Accountability, c) Legal Framework for Development;
and d) Transparency and Information Accessibility.
For the first time, the concept of ‘Good Governance’ was formulated by the World Bank in
1992. It was defined as the “Manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s
economic and social resources for development”. In the Report titled ‘Governance and Development’,
Good Governance was considered central to creating and sustaining an environment, which fosters
strong and equitable development and is an essential component of sound economic policies.
1.3 Significance of Good Governance
Good governance aims at achieving much more than efficient management of economic and
financial resources or public services. It is a broad reform strategy to make government more open,
responsive, accountable, democratic, as well as strengthen institutions of civil society and regulate
private sector. Good Governance is a combination of efficiency concerns of public management and
accountability concerns of governance. Good Governance as a prerequisite for promoting people-
centred development is assuming importance.
Good Governance aims at:
• Improving the quality of life of citizens
• Enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of administration
• Establishing the legitimacy and credibility of institutions
• Securing freedom of information and expression
• Providing citizen-friendly and citizen-caring administration
• Ensuring accountability
• Using Information Technology-based services to improve citizen-government interface
• Improving/enhancing the productivity of employees; and
• Promoting organisational pluralism – State, market and civil society organisations for
governance.
Good Governance, hence, relates to the quality of governance through attributes such as
participation, empowerment, accountability, equity and justice. Adherence and promotion of these
attributes provides avenues to the citizens, especially the poor and the marginalised to articulate
their interests, to exercise their rights and improve their living standards. Good Governance includes
the capacity to formulate and implement sound policies by the government with due respect for
citizens.Good Governance aims at enhancing the quality of life and entails governing processes
which strive for maximum good for the maximum number of people.
4
1.4 Elements and Forms of Good Governance
In the 1992 report entitled “Governance and Development”, the World Bank set out its definition
of Good Governance. It defined Good Governance as “the manner in which power is exercised in
the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development”. Good governance
has 8 major characteristics.It is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent,
responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures
that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the
most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and
future needs of society.
Participation: This is considered to be the core of Good Governance. Governments aiming to ensure
the requisite freedom to the citizens in order to participate in the decision-making process, articulate
and represent their interests, which get reflected in policies and programmes.
Rule of Law: Governance does not imply arbitrary use of authority. Any type of governance to be
effective needs to be supplemented by a fair legal framework. This should be supported by appropriate
enforcement machinery, independent judiciary, which instils confidence in the people.
Transparency: This is based on the premise of free flow of information and its accessibility to those
affected by the decisions taken in the governance process. People, especially shall be in a position to
understand as well as monitor governmental and other sectors’ activities, on the basis of information
that is accessible to them within reasonable limits.
Responsiveness: The earlier governance mechanisms lacked in their approach of bringing all the
stakeholders in their ambit. In the present times, the emphasis is more on institutions being responsive
to the needs of all those who are going to be affected by their actions.
Equity: Since governance structures and mechanisms aim at participation, they have to promote
equity. A society’s well-being and development depends on ensuring that all the members have a
stake and role in it and are not excluded from the mainstream activities.
Effectivenessand Efficiency: Good Governance and, NPM need to aim at effectiveness and efficiency
in usage of resources in consonance with the societal needs and demands. Result-orientation needs
to be the key concern.
Accountability: This occupies a central place in Good Governance. The norm of accountability has
to ensure answerability as well as proper enforcement of correct procedure in case of violation of
certain laid down norms. Not only the public institutions, but also the private sector and the civil
society organisations need to be accountable to the public at large and to the other related institutions
and stakeholders.
Governance, with its emphasis on rule of law, human rights, empowerment, and participatory
development, attempts to provide a countervailing force to the excessive managerial orientation.
The World Bank (1992) observes “Governance is a continuum and not necessarily unidirectional, it
does not automatically improve over time. It is a plant that needs constant tending. Citizens need to
demand Good Governance. Their ability to do so is enhanced by literacy, education and employment
opportunities.
5
1.5 Good Governance Initiatives in Indian Context
In India, efforts are afoot and have also in some respects gained momentum in the direction of
Good Governance reforms. The major administrative reforms in our country during the 1950s and
1960s were basically structural in nature with a view to improving the administrative machinery.
With the nature of administration undergoing a change in the 1990s (from traditional bureaucratic to
responsive, citizen – oriented), the reforms are also now geared in this direction. Evolving a citizen-
centred bureaucracy, ensuring transparency and right to information, streamlining the public grievances
machinery, providing for code of ethics, and citizens’ charters are some landmarks in this effort. The
73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments are important reform measures fostering empowerment
and participation of people in the governance process.
Right to Information
As a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), India is
under an international obligation to effectively guarantee citizens the Right to Information as per
Article 19 of the ICCPR. RTI Act, 2005 marks a significant shift in Indian democracy. It gives greater
access of the citizen to the information which in turn improves the responsiveness of the government
to community needs.The right to information, promotes openness, transparency and accountability in
administration by making the government more open to public scrutiny.
Citizen Charter
The concept of Citizens Charters originated in Britain. Citizens Charters are formulated by
all those public organisations providing different kinds of services to the people. These Charters are
statements that provide information to the general public about the nature of services being provided
by that organisation, procedures, costs involved, mechanisms for lodging complaints in case the
citizens are not satisfied, time taken for its redressal and so on. Nearly 68 organisations at the
Central government level in India have formulated Citizens’ Charters. These are being done by state
governments also. Next time you visit any government organisation, including a hospital, municipal
body, you can have a look at their Citizens’ Charters.
E-Governance
The National e-Governance Plan envisions to make all government services accessible to
the common man in his locality, through common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency,
transparency & reliability of such services at affordable costs. E-Governance effectively delivers
better programming and services in the era of newly emerging information and communication
technologies (ICTs), which herald new opportunities for rapid social and economic transformation
worldwide. E-Governance has a direct impact on its citizens who derive benefits through direct
transactions with the services offered by the government. Programs launched under e-Governance:
Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI), Digital India Program, MCA21
(to improve the speed and certainty in the delivery of the services of Ministry of Company Affairs),
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), online Income tax return, etc.

6
People’s Participation and Decentralisation
The government is ensuring people’s participation in governance through the 73rd and 74th
Constitutional Amendments by which Constitutional status is conferred on rural and urban local
bodies. These bodies are given necessary powers and authority to function as institutions of self-
government. State governments have passed necessary legislation to this effect by providing for the
constitution of these bodies, functions, conduct of elections, devolution of resources, etc.
Good Governance Index
The Good Governance Index Was launched on the occasion of Good Governance Day on 25
December 2019. The Good Governance Index is a uniform tool across States to assess the Status of
Governance and impact of various interventions taken up by the State Government and Union
Territories. The objectives of Good Governance Index are to provide quantifiable data to compare
the state of governance in all states and Union Territories, enable states and Union Territories to
formulate and implement suitable strategies for improving governance and shift to result oriented
approaches and administration.
These are, in brief, some of the key initiatives taken by Indian government in fostering
responsive governance. Any reform measure to be effective has to be sustained in the long run. To
fulfil aspirations of citizens the governments both centre and state are inventing and taking several
initiatives across the country.
1.6 Issues and Challenges in Good Governance
Governance aims at the maximum welfare of citizens. It involves government, private sector
and people’s associations or civil society. The important challenge facing the governance process is
to build a framework or system that can promote an appropriate balance between these three constituents.
The quality of governance is to be improved and sustained.
The important issues and challenges pertaining to governance include:
• Strengthening the institutions of governance. Parliament is the supreme representative
institution in India. The political representative represents the electorate. Many a times
concerns are expressed on various fronts about the falling standards in the quality of
participation, conduct of proceedings and so on. Hence there is need to develop good
practices and procedures of parliamentary functioning and make Parliament a dynamic
institution in tune with the changing times.
• Improving the functioning of civil service and bureaucracy. Ultimately it is the permanent
executive that is responsible for policy implementation. It is necessary to develop a
responsive civil service that is professional, energetic and caters to people’s needs.
• Reassuring the citizens with establishing an independent and accountable judiciary. The
judiciary is to be seen as an effective instrument of maintenance of rule of law and upholding
of social justice.

7
 • Making the private sector accountable through adopting sound business practices, adhering
to rules and regulations and protecting the interests of consumers. Educating the citizens
about their rights and obligations, and making them partners in all development activities.
• The issues and challenges that confront governance require effective functioning of three
wings of government namely executive, legislature and judiciary and building appropriate
linkages amongst the organs. Governance has to strike a suitable balance between
parliamentary supremacy and judicial independence. As the state, private sector and civil
society have an important role in governance process, there is a need to assign clear cut
roles and responsibilities to these components to enable them to work towards genuine
people-oriented development activities.
1.7 Self-Check Exercise
a. Concept of Good Governance
b. Forms of Good Governance
c. Initiatives in Indian Context
1.8 Summary
The concept and practice of governance, with several interpretations including Good
Governance has gained prominence over the past decade. While, in a narrow sense, it focuses on
improving public administration structures, processes, institutional development, broadly speaking,
it places emphasis on qualitative improvements in the administration. Hence, principles such as
accountability, transparency, participation, and empowerment are emphasised to make governance
good or effective, to enable the development move towards new and productive directions. Good
Governance, as we have observed, is bringing about creative intervention, and participation by not
just a sole actor, but by various key players to enhance the legitimacy of public realm. Good
Governance emphasises the involvement of institutions, actors from and beyond government,
encouraging flexibility in public service provisions and cost-effective policy outcomes.
1.9 Glossary
Civil Society: It refers to self-organisation of citizens. It is the collective ofsocial organisations that
enjoy autonomy from the state. Civil society includes financial, charitable, social service, development
and professional organisations.
Market: An institution which represents the interests of private players in the economy. Over the
years, some people claim that it has emerged as the alternative to the state.
Rule of Law: It refers to a legal system in which the rules are clear and fairly enforced and everyone
is equal before the law.
State: This is the basic actor in today’s world, representing a definite population, having a definite
territory, a government, and sovereignty (the ultimate authority in handling its affairs).

8
1.10 Answers to Self-check exercise
a. 1.2 b. 1.4 c. 1.5
1.11 Suggested Readings
Bhattacharya, Mohit, 2001, New Horizons of Public Administration, Jawahar, New Delhi.
UNDP Report, 1994, Good Governance and Sustainable Human Development, Oxford University,
New York
World Bank, 1992, Governance and Development, Washington.
1.12 Terminal Questions
1. Explain the Concept and Parameters of Good Governance.
2 Enumerate the initiatives taken by Indian Government for implementing Good Governance
and Discuss challenges faced.

*****

9
 CHAPTER-2
Kautilya and Good Governance

Structure
2.0 Learning Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 About Kautilya and Arthashastra
2.3 Origins of Kautilya and its Arthashastra
2.4 Principles of Good Governance in Kautilya Times
2.5 Kautilya View on State
2.6 Self-Check Exercise
2.7 Summary
2.8 Glossary
2.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
2.10 Suggested Reading
2.11 Terminal Questions
2.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Able to comprehend governance through Arthashastra
• Analyse the concept of Good Governance in Kautilya’s times
• Kautilya’s View on State and Kingship
• learn about the role of saptanga theory of kautilya
2.1 Introduction
Kautilya, ancient Indian political thinker was a multi-dimensional personality whose famous
work, Arthashastra, is studied across disciplines like political science, international relations,
diplomacy, security studies, economics, management and public administration. He is considered as
one of the finest ministers and politicians in India.Arthashastra is the oldest treatise on the composite
governmental affairs. The book has been described as a masterpiece, which covers a wide range of
topics like Statecraft and the issues of public administration encompassing politics, economics, and
administration. The principles of governance and statecraft evolved and established in Arthashastra
were followed by various rulers of India like Ashoka and Shivaji. The greatness of Kautilya, as has
been observed by many scholars, is that he made the principles contained in his Arthashastra so
applicable that even today they find pertinence and utility.

10
2.2 About Kautilya and Arthashastra
Kautilya also known as Chanakya as well as Vishnugupta, has attracted the attention of a
number of scholars from political science, economics, management, public administration, psychology,
defence studies and strategic sciences. He is known for his seminal work called the Arthashastra. He
had written this great thesis at a time when monarchy was the form of government and Kings were
expected not only to defend their territories, but also pursue the expansion of the boundaries by way
of waging wars and winning wars. In the process of his analysis of the state and its machinery,
Kautilya focused on several dimensions of running a State/government. He favoured the idea of a
strong state, which could be possible only if the ruler or the king, was strong. Kautilya assigned high
value to the financial health of the state. He was of the firm view that the power of the State rested in
the strength of the treasury. That is why he pays special attention to the management and administration
of treasury along with the issues of collection of taxes and enhancement of resources of the State. The
other area relating to finance that attracted the attention of Kautilya were Budget, Agricultural taxation,
Audit and Accounts.
Before understanding Kautilya’s Arthashastra, one should know the concept of four
Purusharthas which are goals of human life or aims and objectives of a soul. They are dharma (duty),
artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (emancipation of soul). The times before Kautilya were
dominated by dharma (promoted by religion) and regulated by Dharmashastra. Pursuit of dharma
was superior to three other goals of life. However, withArthashastra, pursuit of arthabecame an end
in itself while other three aims of life were subservient to it.In Kautilya’sArthashastra (2nd-3rd
century BC), the welfare of people was considered paramount in the role of King. His book,
Arthashastra, has 15 parts (or books), 180 divisions, 150 chapters and approximately 6,000 verses
or shlokas.
2.3 Origins of Kautilya and its Arthashastra
There is no clear consensus about Kautilya’s life and the times in which he lived. He is also
known by the name Chanakya, based on his father’s name Rishi (Sage) Chanak, who was a Brahmin.
Another name given to Kautilya is Vishnugupta since he is believed to be a follower of Lord Vishnu.
The name, Kautilya, comes from his ‘kutil’ gotra, which means shrewd and cunning. He lived at the
turn of the fourth to third century BC and thus, was a near contemporary of Aristotle and Alexander
the Great. The place of his birth is also disputed as according to different sources, Kautilya was born
in Takshashila, Gola district in South India or Patliputra in Magadha. Kautilya played the central
role in establishment of the Maurya Empire under Chandra Gupta (321-297 BCE) – the first pan-
Indian state extending over most of the Indian subcontinent. Chandra Gupta was a student of Kautilya
who overthrew the Nanda dynasty on the wise counsel of his guru, Chanakya who became Prime
Minister in his court.
There is a widely held belief that the text of Arthashastra was not available till it was
discovered by Sanskrit scholar Dr R Shamasastry. He found the 17th century writing on a bundle of
palm leaves from a pandit in Tanjore in 1904. He published the text in 1909 and its translation in

11
1915. However, Subrata K Mitra and Michael Liebig in their 2017 work have argued that there has
been a continuous oral and written transmission of the Arthashastra across time as well as a lasting
influence of Kautilyan thought on the politics in South Asia throughout the pre-modern duration. Max
Weber, one of the foundational thinkers of modern social sciences was the first Western social
scientist to recognise the significance of Kautilya in his works, Politics as a Vocation and in his
sociology of religion studies on Hinduism. Apart from Dr Shamasastry, another Indian scholar who
devoted his research career to Kautilya is Dr R P Kangle whose three volume edition of Arthashastra
was published between 1960 and 1965. Another important translation of Kautilya has been done by
L N Rangarajan (1992) which is a simpler and rearranged version of the original work. Sanskrit
philologists and Indologists have extensively engaged with Kautilya’s work. However, their focus
clearly differs from the research approach of political science. It should be mentioned that Kautilya
himself states in the very first paragraph of Arthashastra that his work is a treatise on science of
politics.
2.4 Principles of Good Governance in Kautilya Times
It is clearly stated that Kautilya did not discuss any principles of administration separately in
any of his books forming part of Arthashastra. Further, we will discuss the principles that were
implemented by Kautilya while running the administration.
Division of Work: This is also known as division of labour is one of the principles that has a bearing
on the efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation. Kautilya also divides the work into several
departments denoting the importance of assigning different roles to different persons according to
their specialisation and knowledge.
Hierarchy: The administrative structure in Arthashastra depicts a bureaucratic type of administration
that is hierarchical in character. On the apex of the organisational pyramid was the King who was the
repository of all authority. The subordinate levels were anned by the officers known as Mahamatya,
Amatyas, Adhyakshas or superitendents. However, the system of hierarchy within the subordinates
has not been very clearly discussed or mentioned in the Book.
Unity of Command: All the employees of the empire were to seek orders only from one authority,
the King. There was no confusion at any level of the government that the king alone had the power to
issue orders to the subordinates working in any department or in any position.
Centralisation:Generally, all powers (legislative, executive and judicial) were vested in the office
of the King. Centralisation was indeed the organising principle of administration. However, for the
purpose of smooth execution of the policies and decisions framed at the centre, the administration
was also organised under close supervision of the centre at the grassroots.
Discipline: This is the prerequisite for any organisation, State being no exception, to work with a
sense of unity of goals if it has to be successful. Arthashastra attaches great importance when it refers
to the need for strict observance and compliance to the orders and rules issued and enacted by the
King. Any laxity on the part of any employee on that point was to invite punishment.

12
Authority and Accountability:Authority and responsibility go hand in hand. That seems to be the
reason why the king is not only vested with all powers of the State, he is also made responsible for
the progress and happiness of the subjects. He is supposed to pursue the goal with appropriate use of
authority. Kautilya believed in a system of authority and prescribed a number of punishments for a
number of offences on the part of the people as well as of government servants.
Leadership:The execution of the direction too is quite often dependent on the qualities of te leader
who issues directions. This becomes evident when one notes the traits which kautilya ascribed to a
good leader. He believed in ‘like King, like citizenry’. A good leader is one who keeps the interests
of the people and the kingdom above personal interests.
Value based Administration: Kautilya brought in the concept of value-based management and
administration, when he identified a number of values in a leader (administrator) and observed that
in order to achieve the primary goal of the organisation, a leader should be virtous, truthful and free
from vices. He should also invoke reliability, gratefulness, liberality, promptness and long-term
vision, with the advice of the elders.
2.5 Kautilya view on State
Kautilya’s views on state are similar to what later came to be known as the social contract
theory of origin of state. He had argued that Matsya Nyaya, which is the law of nature, needs to be
eradicated. Matsya Nyaya means a bigger fish always swallows the smaller fish. It can be seen as a
state of anarchy where the powerful dominate the weak. Similar views were later expressed by
Thomas Hobbes. Kautilya said that people want security and peace and that is why; they chose
Manu, as their king under the system of kingship. People agreed to pay one-sixth of their food grains
and one-tenth of other goods including gold as tax to the king in return for a guarantee for their
security. The king is duty bound to protect his subjects and ensure their well-being. The king has the
power to inflict danda(punishment) to ensure order and stability in the society. The theory of state in
ancient India before Kautilya argued that the state has to uphold the laws of Varnashram i.e. social
laws based on traditions and customs. State had a minimalist function to intervene in situations
where these laws were not obeyed. However, with Arthashstra, Kautilya broke this tradition and
advocated that the state could make laws of its own. If there is conflict between Dharamnayay of
state and Dharamshastra, the earlier would prevail.Kautilya described structure of the state in his
Saptanga theory or seven organs/elements of state or seven prakriti.
Swami or the King: The ruler is equivalent to the head in a human body. Kautilya did not believe in
divine origin of kinsgship. He believed it to be a human institution. An ideal king, according to
Kautilya is one who has the highest qualities of leadership, intellect, energy and personal attributes.
The leadership qualities a king should have in order to attract followers include birth in a noble
family, truthful, prowess, intellect, righteous, disciplines, enthusiastic, being stronger than neighbouring
kings and having ministers of high quality. A king’s intellectual qualities are reflected by desire to
learn and to listen to others, grasping and retaining truthful views and rejecting the false claims. As
far as personal attributes are concerned, a king should be eloquent and have a kind mind with sharp
intellect.
13
Amatya or the Minister: Amatya represents eyes of the state. Kautilya argued that the minister with
the highest rank should be born in a high family and should be a native of the state. He should be
under the control of the king. Further, he must be trained in all the arts and should be far sighted. He
should be firmly loyal and endure adversaries through qualities like boldness, bravery, intelligence
and should be energetic.
Janpada or the People: Janpada represents the legs of the state and includes both, territory and
population of the state. The people should be prosperous while the territory should have fertile
lands, mines, forests and water bodies etc. The demographic and economic base of the Kautilyan
state is the rural population.
Durga or the Fort: Durga represents the arms of a state. Security of treasury and army would
depend on fortification of the state. Kautilya says that on the frontiers of the country, every quarter
will have a fort well equipped to defend against the enemies. In total, four forts shall be constructed
in places that are naturally suited for defence. A land fort is the easiest to capture while a river fort is
more difficult. A fort situated on a mountain is most difficult to capture.
Kosha or Treasury: Kosha is considered as the mouth of the state. Kautilya opined that the wealth of
the state shall be acquired lawfully, either by inheritance or by king’s own efforts consisting of gold,
gems and silver. The wealth should be enough to allow the country to withstand a calamity, even if
the calamity is of longer duration in which there is no income generated. Treasury is located in the
fortified capital which is used to finance the army, the royal court and the state apparatus.
Danda or Sena: Sena is equivalent to brain in a human body. The soldiers should be strong, obedient,
not averse to long expeditions, with powers of endurance, skill inhandling all weapons and experience
of many battles.They should have no interest other than that of the king and should share his prosperity
and adversity. A strong army is required toward off internal and external threats to a country.
Mitra or Ally/Friend: A mitra represents ears of a state. According to Kautilya, an ideal ally is one
who is a friend of the family for a long time, constant and powerful in support, amenable to control,
shares a common interest, can mobilise his army quickly and is not someone who would double
cross his friends. Kautilya says that the king should focus on strengthening first six elements of the
state.
2.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Kautilya and Arthashastra
b. Kautilya View on State
2.7 Summary
Kautilya works have not been given due importance and analysis not only in India, but also
outside India as well. Ancient Greek philosophers, continue to dominate classical thought while
Kautilya remains on the fringes reflecting Eurocentrism international relations. Long before the West
witnessed separation of state and church under modernity in 16th century, Kautilya had already
advocated independent status of polity away from religion. His saptanga theory is a systematic and
14
coherent theory of state power. He may not have advocated democracy, but Kautilya said that the
welfare of the people was central to stability and security of a kingdom. Kautilya’s figure stands
tallest amongst the community of Indian theorists and there is a need to further analyse his works in
contemporary context.Kautilya visualised the importance of the values and attitudes, merits and
qualities of the people engaged in the organisational task for an efficient, effective and people
centric performance of their organisation. Kautilya is no exception, is influenced by the environment
of his times. Yet it can be safely stated that kautilya in many ways outpassed his time for having
looked into the administrative needs of the future societies and the states.
2.8 Glossary
Accountability: It means answerability as well as proper enforcement for violating certain laid
down norms. It involves making politicians, administrators, governmental, non-governmental and
private sector organisations accountable for their activities.
Amatya: Mantri
Dharma: Ethics and Duty
Nyaya: Justice
State: This is the basic actor in today’s world, representing a definite population, having a definite
territory, a government, and sovereignty (the ultimate authority in handling its affairs).
2.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2, 1.3 b. 1.5
2.10 Suggested Readings
Mitra, Subrata K & Michael Liebig. (2017). Kautilya’sArthashastra: An Intellectual Portrait – The
Classical Roots of Modern Politics in India. New Delhi:Rupa Publishing India Pvt Ltd.
Sil, Narasingha P. (1985). Kautilya’sArthashastra: A Comparative Study. New Delhi: Academic
Publishers.
2.11 Terminal Questions
1. Briefly explain the origin of ideas of Kautilya idea given in his book Arthashastra.
2. Discuss the role of administration with king being the head of state for the welfare of
people.

*****

15
 CHAPTER-3
Theories and Concept of Good Governance

Structure
3.0 Learning Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Theories of Good Governance
3.3 Precondition forGood Governance
3.4 Features of Good Governance
3.5 Good Governance Initiatives taken globally
3.6 Constraints inGood Governance
3.7 Self-Check Exercise
3.8 Summary
3.9 Glossary
3.10 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
3.11 Suggested Reading
3.12 Terminal Questions
3.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Evolution of Good Governance
• Analyse the features of Good Governance
• Provide difference between global and regional scenario
• Depicts the features of Good Governance
• Enlisted Governance initiatives in the global context
3.1 Introduction
Ever since the term ‘governance’ has become the cynosure of all actors, both State and non-
state, there has been a trend to engage, educate, and empower people in a peaceful way for a wide
array of missions, such as, economic welfare, child wellbeing, mainstreaming gender, environmental
protection, and cultural promotion. The challenge for all societies is to create a system of governance
that promotes supports and sustains human development - especially for the poorest and most marginal.
But the search for a clearly articulated concept of governance has just begun. Good governance is,
16
among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable. It is also effective and equitable. And
it promotes the rule of law. Good governance ensures that political, social and economic priorities
are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable
are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources.
3.2 Theory of Good Governance
The concept of governance, which assumed significance since 1989 with the advocacy by the
World Bank, is considered by some as not a new term. Pierre and Peters (2000) consider that the
term was first used in France in the 14th century where it meant ‘a seat of government’. The World
Bank is said to have reinvented it, in a different context, as a new approach to development.
Globalisation has resulted in generation of global pressures exerted by institutions such as the World
Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the form of economic reforms programmes to be
adhered to, especially by the developing countries. The aid given to these countries is accompanied
by certain market-oriented reforms.
From Government to Governance The idea of governance is as old as the human civilisation
itself, but the term governance was not heard frequently within the development community until the
late 1980s. The rise in the popularity of the term ‘governance’ is closely linked with the redefinition
of the role of the government towards development enterprises and managing the economy of a state
in an efficient and effective manner. The term came into existence in the 1980s with the initial efforts
of international economic and financial organisations such as the World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund, United Nations Development Programme and International Development Assistance.
Notion about the competence of the structure of Government framed post-world war II began changing
in the 1980s, and the process of transformation from government to governance was triggered.
Following were the factors contributed to it:
• Government was found ineffective and inefficient in delivering the policy objectives relating
to the progress and well-being of the common people in the developing countries.
• This period also witnessed the expansion of the term development and prosperity of the
people and began encompassing health, education, happiness, human rights, and freedom
and participation of the stakeholders in the decision-making procedures.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the cold war, proved the authoritarian
model of government, a failure.
• The term governance came to be used to define the reinventing of public administration,
particularly in the developing countries, to make it more receptive to the needs of citizens
After decolonisation, developmental activities of all the Third World countries had been
dependent on foreign financial and technological assistance and long-term loans from the various
international economic and financial agencies. Till the late 1970s,’ it was the general perception
world over that the state should be the engine of economic growth and public welfare, but shortly
this perception was under question. The disappointing development outcomes in the aid recipient

17
countries sparked serious debate on aid effectiveness because, despite all the money given, a large
number of recipients remained gripped in chronic poverty. The search for the underlying reasons for
these development failures led the donor agencies to focus on the quality of governance in the
recipient countries. All this led to the proposal by the International aid donors that aid should be
allocated not only on the basis of poverty and underdevelopment but also on the basis of good
governance within the aid-seeking countries In 1998 the World Bank’s annual report Governance in
Asia: From crisis to Opportunity, presented a more cogent concept of good governance.
3.3 Preconditions for Good Governance
An analysis of the barriers to good governance reveals that there are several preconditions
which must be fulûlled in order to make governance citizen-centric. Some of the pre-conditions are:
• Sound legal framework.
• Robust institutional mechanism for proper implementation of the laws and their eûective
functioning.
• Competent personnel staffing these institutions; and sound personnel management policies.
• Right policies for decentralization, delegation and accountability.
In Governance, there are networks of institutions involved in all stages of the policy process
viz; policy formulation, implementation, evaluation and feedback. Some of the examples of such
networks are as follows: Policy network policy networks are sets of formal institutional and informal
linkages between governmental and other actors structured around shared if endlessly negotiated
beliefs and interests in public policymaking and implementation. These actors are interdependent
and policy emerges from the interactions between them. Governments have instituted advisory bodies
and various kinds of Councils where representatives of government and other two actors – business
and civil society are members.
3.4 Features of Good Governance
Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus-oriented,
accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the
rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and
that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to
the present and future needs of society.
Participation is the political dimension of good governance. The active participation of all the
stakeholders in the process of development in a society is an indispensable condition of good
governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or
representatives. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association
and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand. All men and women,
inclusive of physically challenged ones, should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or
through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests. The Panchayati Raj System
or local self-governance (municipal councils) in towns and cities in India are the expressions of
active participation of people in developmental activities meant for them.
18
Rule of law Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also
requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. The rule of law is the
cornerstone of a democratic and egalitarian society. It means that everybody in a society is equal
before the laws, and the laws are implemented in an impartial manner. Impartial enforcement of laws
requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force. To implement the
rule of law, appropriate reforms in policing (police reforms) and the criminal justice system (judicial
reforms) have been attempted in India.
Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows
rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to
those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that information is
provided in easily understandable forms and media. Lack of transparency in governance creates a
conducive environment for various kinds of corruption in governance which are detrimental to the
progress and well-being of the common people of the society. To ensure transparency and free flow
of information, the Government of India has provision for the right to information to every citizen of
the country by enacting the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Responsiveness Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders
within a reasonable timeframe. The deliberate unnecessary delay on the part of the service providers
in performing their duties towards the people must be avoided at any cost. It must be ensured that
service delivery systems must have a provision of the time and period clause to accomplish their
duties within a predictable time frame.
Consensus oriented There are several actors and as many viewpoints in a given society. Good
governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus on
what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a
broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to
achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical,
cultural and social contexts of a given society or community. Consensus usually involves collaboration,
rather than compromise.
Equity and InclusivenessA society’s well-being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that
they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. Inclusiveness requires
that interests, aspirations and opinions of all individuals and groups living in a society must be taken
into consideration while formulating certain policies and programmes meant for the society. This
requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain
their well-being.
Effectiveness and Efficiency Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results
that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of
efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and
the protection of the environment.

19
Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only government institutions but also
the private sector and civil society organisations must be accountable to the public and to their
institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or
actions taken are internal or external to an organisation or institution, In general, an organisation or
an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability
cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law. Central to the principle of accountability
is information sharing and transparency which should be promoted by governance structures.
3.5 Good Governance Initiatives taken globally
Need for global good governance: emerging issues such as humanitarian crises, military conflicts
between and within states, climate change and economic volatility pose serious threats to human
security in all societies and they have become ‘global’ beyond the capacity for state governments
alone to address such issues. Mechanism for global good governance could be:
• International Governmental Organizations (IGOs): World Trade Organization and the UN
systemare examples of existing state-centered governance mechanisms. They utilize
partnerships with non-state actors that have expertise and resources.
• SDGs and MDGs: Sustainable development goals and Millennium development goals gives
the vision to the government around the world for the conservation of planet earth.
• Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs): UN Global Compact is anexample of an international
PPP. UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) utilize the PPP strategy across all aspects
of implementation of the SDGs.
• Private governance: They set sector-specific standards. Eg: Moody’s Investors Service
and Standard and Poor’s Rating Groups sets international accounting standards.
• Tripartite governance mechanisms: It includes involvement of state, private and civil society
actors. For example Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, publish What You Pay
and the African Peer Review Mechanism, thus helping in categorizing PPPs.
3.6 Constraints in Good Governance
As per the 2nd ARC report, following are the Barriers to Good Governance:
Attitudinal Problems of the Civil Servants: There is a growing concern that the Civil Services and
administration in general, have become wooden, inûexible, self-perpetuating and inward-looking.
Consequently, their attitude is one of indiûerence and insensitivity to the needs of citizens.
Lack of Accountability: A common reason usually cited for ineûciency in governance is the inability
within the system to hold the Civil Services accountable for their actions. Seldom are disciplinary
proceedings initiated against delinquent government servants and imposition of penalties is even
rarer.
Red Tapism: Bureaucracies the world over are expected to adhere to rules and procedures which
are, of course, important for good governance. However, at times, these rules and procedures are ab-
initio ill-conceived and cumbersome and, therefore, do not serve their purpose.
20
Low levels of Awareness of the Rights and Duties of Citizens: Inadequate awareness about their
rights prevents citizens from holding erring government servants to account. Similarly, low levels of
compliance of Rules by the citizens also acts as an impediment to good governance.
Ineûûective Implementation of Laws and Rules: There is a large body of laws in the country, each
legislated with diû event objectives – maintaining public order and safety, maintaining sanitation
and hygiene, protecting the rights of citizens, giving special protection to the vulnerable sections etc.
weak implementation of these issues can cause a great deal of hardship to citizens and even erode the
faith of the citizenry in the government machinery.
Others constraints
Women Empowerment: According to Swami Vivekananda “it is impossible to think about the
welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. It is impossible for a bird to fly on
only one wing.” 108th Constitution Amendment Bill, promising 33 per cent reservation to women in
Parliament and the state assemblies have not been considered by the government yet.
Caste and religion-based politics: Equity and inclusiveness is one of the principles of good
governance but some of the features of the present politics in India are use of caste and religion to
influence the population. These aspects work against the principle of equity and can be used as a tool
to incite violence against a particular section of society.
Corruption: The high level of corruption in India has been widely perceived as a major obstacle in
improving the quality of governance. The government implemented different welfare policies like
PDS, NRHM, MGNREGA, Prime Minister’s Jan DhanYojana, etc. which are very influential for
good governance. But because of corruption practise among our bureaucrats our Government cannot
achieve success in the implementation of these programmes.
Delay in justice: Overall, the pendency of cases has increased significantly at every level of the
judicial hierarchy in the last decade. Between 2006 and now, there has been an overall increase of
22% (64 lakh cases) in the pendency of cases across all courts. As of August 2019, there are over 3.5
crore cases pending across the Supreme Court, the High Courts, and the subordinate courts. The
primary reason for growing pendency of cases is that the number of new cases filed every year has
outpaced the number of disposed of cases. This has resulted in a growing backlog of cases.
Criminalisation of Politics: - The criminalisation of the political process and the unholy nexus
between politicians, civil servants, and business houses are having a baneful influence on public
policy formulation and governance.
3.7 Self-Check Exercise
a. Theories and Preconditions of Good Governance
b. Features of Good Governance
c. Constraints of Good Governance

21
3.8 Summary
Good governance is a qualitative term which gets strengthened with people’s participation,
with transparent and accountable mechanism. The rule of law also plays a definitive role towards
ensuring good governance. This process is, now, being strengthened by the application of science
and technology, which has revolutionized governance, and plays an important role in bringing people
closer to the process of governance. Governance plays an important role in development. Good
governance stresses on transparency, accountability, participation of stakeholders in the process of
governance, providing voice to the powerless against deprivation, giving choice and interest to the
people to grow. By looking at the good governance principles, the human development and people
centred approaches of development foster inclusive development.
3.9 Glossary
Civil Society: It refers to self-organisation of citizens. It is the collective ofsocial organisations that
enjoy autonomy from the state. Civil society includes financial, charitable, social service, development
and professional organisations.
PPPs (Public Private Partnership): Collaborations between public and private sector to manage
the various projects across the country.
State: This is the basic actor in today’s world, representing a definite population, having a definite
territory, a government, and sovereignty (the ultimate authority in handling its affairs).
3.10 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2, 1.3 b. 1.4 c. 1.6
3.11 Suggested Readings
Bhattacharya, Mohit, 2001, New Horizons of Public Administration, Jawahar, New Delhi.
Mathur, Kuldeep (2009), From Government to Governance, National Book Governance: An
OverviewTrust, New Delhi.
UNDP Report, 1994, Good Governance and Sustainable Human Development, Oxford University,
New York
World Bank (1 989), Sub-Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth, World Bank, Washington
DC.
3.12 Terminal Questions
1. Explain the theoretical foundation of Good Governance.
2. What are the main features of Good Governance? Explain in brief.

*****

22
 CHAPTER-4
World Bank and UNDP

Structure
4.0 Learning Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 World Bank and its components
4.3 United Nations and UNDP
4.4 Aim and Projects of World Bank
4.5 Issues with United Nations Programmes
4.6 Self-Check Exercise
4.7 Summary
4.8 Glossary
4.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
4.10 Suggested Reading
4.11 Terminal Questions
4.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• World Banks and its parts
• Analyse the importance of United Nations
• Understand the emerging institutions in multipolar world
• Role of International Institutions in global governance
4.1 Introduction
The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), often referred to as the
World Bank, was set up as a sister organisation of the International Monetary Fund. The decision to
create IBRD was taken at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944. The World Bank started its operations
in 1946. Its main purpose was to promote the long-term foreign investment to help in transforming
War devastated economies and to encourage less developed economies to accelerate the pace of
their development. Obviously the activities of the World Bank were to remain confined to assisting
only the member countries.

23
 The United Nations was officially formed on the 24th October, 1945. Its forerunner, the
League of Nations was conceived of in similar post-war circumstances in 1919. The League of
Nations was meant to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security. Its demise
happened due to its failure to prevent the Second World War. The term United Nations was first
coined by the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used as a collective pledge of
representatives of 26 nations on the 1st January, 1942, as a commitment to continue to fight against
the Axis Powers.On October 24th, 1945, as many as 51 countries signed the United Nations Charter
in South Africa. The charter was worked out based on the proposals drafted by the representatives of
China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States. The central role of the United
Nations was the promotion of peace and security, development and human rights.At present, there
are 191 sovereign states who are members of the United Nations, which are virtually all nation-
states. The United Nations is based on the principle of sovereign equality of each nation state.
4.2 World Bank and its Components
World Bank, in full World Bank Group, international organization affiliated with the United
Nations (UN) and designed to finance projects that enhance the economic development of member
states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the bank is the largest source of financial assistance to
developing countries. It also provides technical assistance and policy advice and supervises on
behalf of international creditors the implementation of free-market reforms. Together with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization, it plays a central role in
overseeing economic policy and reforming public institutions in developing countries and defining
the global macroeconomic agenda.
The World Bank Group consists of:
• The International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), established in 1945,
which provides debt financing on the basis of sovereign guarantees;
• The International Financial Corporation (IFC), established in 1956, which provides various
forms of financing of without sovereign guarantees, primarily to the private sector;
• The International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, which provides
concessional financing (interest-free loans or grants), usually with sovereign guarantees;
• The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), established in 1988, which provides
insurance against certain types of risks, including political risk, primarily to the private
sector; and,
• The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), established in
1966, which works with governments to reduce investment risk.
The term “World Bank” generally refers to the IBRD and IDA, whereas the World Bank Group is
used to refer to the institutions collectively.

24
4.3 United Nations and UNDP
The United Nations consists of six main organs “ the General Assembly, the Security Council,
the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, the Secretariat and the Trusteeship
Council. Second, there are a number of United Nations programmes and funds such as the UN Children’s
Fund (UNICEF), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
etc. These programmes and funds fall under the Economic and Social Council of the UN but are also
reported to the General Assembly. The third set of actors within the UN is the specialised agencies
and analogous bodies working in diverse areas such as agriculture, health, labour and meteorology.
Well known among these bodies are UNESCO, ILO, FAO and the World Bank set of institutions.The
UN system has a vast array of responsibilities. These responsibilities include peacekeeping, disaster
management, health, natural resource management and even lending of money. In that sense, the
scope of the UN mandate is aimed at providing a more stable and secure world withenhanced
opportunities for all across the globe.The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides
expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with an increasing emphasis on
assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among
nations.
• The UNDP Executive Board is made up of representatives from 36 countries around the
world who serve on a rotating basis.
• It is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from member nations.
• UNDP is central to the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a network
that spans almost 170 countries and unites the 40 UN funds, programmes, specialized agencies
and other bodies working to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The UNDP is considered an executive board within the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• It is headed by an Administrator.
The Human Development Report (HDR) is an annual report published by the Human
Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Human
Development Index (HDI) is a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita
income indicators, which are used to rank countries into four tiers of human development. A country
scores a higher HDI when the lifespan is higher, the education level is higher, and the Gross National
Income GNI (PPP) per capita is higher.
India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have worked since 1951 on
various issues related to human development involving sustainable livelihoods, environment, literacy,
institutional strengthening, sustainable energy and resilience. The Government of India aligned with
UNDP to work on the India 2030 National Development Mission and build further Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). The three major areas of focus for UNDP India’s country programme
for 2018-2022 are:

25
 • Inclusive Growth
• Environment & Energy
• Strengthening Systems & Institutions
The nodal agency for all matters related to UNDP in India is the Department of Economic
Affairs, Finance Ministry, GOI. The UNDP has offices in 6 locations in India.
4.4 Aim and Projects of World Bank
World Bank was initially established with the following objectives:
• Financing reconstruction of the war devastated economies: During World War II many countries
of Europe had suffered heavily in terms of the destruction of their infrastructure and industries.
The economies of these countries were in bad shape and could not generate adequate resources
internally for the reconstruction work.
• Financing development of economically backward countries: By the time the Bretton Woods
Conference was held, it had become clear that in the post-World War II period economically
backward countries having inadequate domestic resources would need considerable amount
of private foreign capital as well as foreign aid to tread on the path of economic development.
Given the requirements of resources of these countries both these sources of external finance
were likely to be inadequate and uncertain. The World Bank was thus expected to provide
long-term financial help for development projects in underdeveloped countries.
• Promotion of long-term balanced growth of international trade: It is generally agreed that
international trade is beneficial to all the participants in it. Therefore, a balanced growth of
international trade should be encouraged.
The World Bank is a provider of financial and technical assistance to individual countries
around the globe. The bank considers itself a unique financial institution that sets up partnerships to
reduce poverty and support economic development.The World Bank supplies qualifying governments
with low-interest loans, zero-interest credits, and grants, all to support the development of individual
economies. Debt borrowings and cash infusions help with global education, healthcare, public
administration, infrastructure, and private-sector development. The World Bank also shares information
with various entities through policy advice, research and analysis, and technical assistance. It offers
advice and training for both the public and private sectors. The World Bank provides financing,
advice, and other resources to developing countries in the areas of education, public safety, health,
and other areas of need. Often, nations, organizations, and other institutions partner with the World
Bank to sponsor development projects.
• In 2017, the World Bank created the Human Capital Project, which seeks to help countries
invest in and develop their people to be productive citizens and active contributors to their
economy. World leaders are urged to prioritize investments in education, healthcare, and
social protections, and, in return, they will realize a stronger economy full of healthy, thriving
adults.
26
 • In April 2016, the World Bank approved the National Immunization Support Project for
Pakistan. This project, costing an estimated $377.41 million, aims to increase the equitable
distribution of vaccines to children ages 0 to 23 months.
• The Learning for the Future project was created to enhance children’s readiness for school
and the effectiveness of secondary instruction in specific Kyrgyz Republic communities. The
project consists of two components: increasing the equitable access of early childhood
education and improving the effectiveness of instruction in secondary education
4.5 Issues with United Nations Programmes
Since its inception 75 years ago, the UN has remained the world’s most important multilateral
forum. Today, the world faces global threats, both coventional (violent conflict, nuclear proliferation,
and infectious disease) and non-conevtional (climate change, terrorism, and cyberwar, among others).
However, the UN system is enmeshed in serious budgetary difficulties and subject to endless reforms.
These lacunae can be reflected in the following:
• UNGA has no control over veto power exercised by UNSC and it cannot take any decisive
action against permanent members of UNSC.The 15-member Security Council is by far the
most powerful arm of the United Nations. It can impose sanctions, as it did against Iran over
its nuclear program, and authorize military intervention, as it did against Libya in
2011.However, the veto power is used by permanent five countries to serve the strategic
interest of themselves and their allies.
• The UN charter is vague in defining the duties of the secretary general, the United Nations’
top official. It is expected to show no favoritism to any particular country, but as the office is
largely dependent on the funding and the good will of the most powerful nations, it hampers
the working of the said office.
• The World Trade Organization is mandated to expand the free trade agenda and a standard
bearer for open and efficient global markets.However, the advanced countries are determined
to promote the kind of corporate-friendly rules that align with their own economic interests
and are indifferent to the Doha Development Agenda.
• WHO was mandated to control the spread of contagious diseases, backstop public health
programmes, formulate standards on nutrition and hygiene and establish a centre for
comparative health data.However, recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been
criticised by the US on account of mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently
suspended its financial contribution to WHO.
4.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. World Bank and its Components
b. UNDP
c. Issues with United Nations

27
4.7 Summary
In order to realise the mandated objectives, the World Bank performs a number of functions
which can be classified broadly under three heads: i) lending and guaranteeing private foreign loans;
ii) providing technical assistance; and iii) stimulating private investments. Countries with persistent
deficits in their balance of payments can get structural adjustment loans from the World Bank to
finance projects which will bring about such structural changes in their economies that their balance
of payments position improves. However, these loans carry with them stringent terms and conditions.
UNDP stands for United Nations Development Programme. It provides expert advice training
and grants support to developing countries, with an increasing emphasis on assistance to the least
developed countries. Its overall goal is to contribute to sustainable human development. UNDP has 4
focus areas in its mandate: poverty reduction, democratic governance, environment and energy and
crisis prevention and recovery. It’s headquarter is located in New York city. It provides experts to
help build legal and political institutions and expand the private sector. UNDP is governed by a 36
member Executive Board overseen by an administrator, who is the third highest ranking unofficial
after the secretary-general and the deputy-Secretary General. The UNDP operates in 170 countries
and is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from the UN member states.
4.8 Glossary
Bretton woods Institutions: The Brettonwoods Institutions are the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund. They were set up in July 1944 at a meeting of 43 Countries in Brettonwoods, New
Hampshire, USA. Their aim was to help rebuild the sheltered post- war economy and to promote
international economic cooperation.
Intellectual Property: It is a category of property that refers to intangible creations of human intellect.
It includes copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets etc.
World Trade Organisation: It is a global international organisation dealing with (WTO) the rules
of trade between nations. Its goal is to help producers of goods and service, exporters and importers
conduct their business. Its headquarters is located at Geneva, Switzerland.
4.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.5
4.10 Suggested Readings
Misxa, S.K. 1990. Money, lncome and Financial Institutions, Pragati Publications: Delhi (Chapters
24 and 25).
The World Bank, 1985. World Development Report, 1985, Oxford University Press: New Yorlc
(Chapter 10).
United Nations.(2017). Basic Facts about the United Nations, 42nd edition. New York: United Nations
Department of Public Information
4.11 Terminal Questions
1. What are World Bank Group and its relevance in today’s times?
2. What is United Nations? Explain the implementation of UNDP?
*****
28
 CHAPTER-5
Digital Governance: Concepts, Scope and Significance

Structure
5.0 Learning Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Concept of Digital Governance
5.3 Scope of Digital Governance
5.4 Significance of Digital Governance
5.5 Future Technologies and Challenges
5.6 Self-Check Exercise
5.7 Summary
5.8 Glossary
5.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
5.10 Suggested Reading
5.11 Terminal Questions
5.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• The Concept of Digital Governance
• Scope of Digital Governance
• Upcoming Technologies in the World
5.1 Introduction
Digital governance is about creating a work environment that allows all digital stakeholders
to have access to information and participate in the development of the organization’s digital strategy.
There is also a need to establish accountability. This means that the framework must be designed to
limit threats and maximize potential gains.
The emerging area of digital era governance focuses on dynamically changing societal contexts.
It aims to identify and explore complex scenarios for future policies, based on current trends and
informed speculation. This study uses evidence-informed social foresight to explore how citizens
and public service organizations can respond to these scenarios.

29
 One of the key components of digital governance is defining decision-making authority. A
well-designed framework identifies the decision-making authority of different digital teams and
combines them with other important aspects such as accountability, transparency, and collaboration.
The best way to implement a good governance framework is to start by designing an operating model
for your digital activities. This should include a clear statement of the objectives, performance
measures, and tactics to meet these objectives.
5.2 Concept of Digital Governance
Digital governance is a framework for establishing accountability, roles, and decision-making
authority for an organization’s digital presence which means its websites, mobile sites, social channels,
and any other Internet and Web-enabled products and services. Having a well-designed digital
governance framework minimizes the number of tactical debates regarding the nature and management
of an organization’s digital presence by making clear that on your digital team has decision-making
authority for these areas. Also, it is a term used to describe a set of strategies that a company uses to
ensure that its content is managed across the entire digital landscape. It includes a variety of activities
including developing a digital governance framework, determining the authority to make decisions,
and ensuring the quality of data.When these questions are answered and your digital governance
framework is well implemented by leadership, your organization can look forward to a more
productive work environment for all digital stakeholders and a higher-quality, more effective digital
presence.
Digital governance is important because it helps to ensure that digital technologies are used
in a responsible and ethical manner, and that they are aligned with the values and goals of the
organization or community. It can also help to protect against risks and vulnerabilities, such as data
breaches and cyber-attacks. Digital governance can be implemented through a variety of mechanisms,
including policies, guidelines, training programs, and governance structures. It is an evolving field
that requires ongoing attention and adaptation in order to keep pace with the rapid changes in digital
technologies.
5.3 Scope of Digital Governance
The term scope signifies the length and breadth of the applications where digital technologies
can be used in the governance of the country. A variety of stakeholders are involved in the effective
functioning of government. The term consists of the digital interactions between:
G2C – This allows the citizens to benefit from the efficient delivery of a wide range of public
services thereby improving the quality of services. In this mode of delivery a government directly
make citizens aware and provide required services in transparent manner.
G2B – Business community interact with the government using effective governing tools when dealing
with services such as permits, licensing, procurement and revenue collection. Digital revolution
tries to facilitate ease of doing business within the country.

30
G2G – This involves interaction between various departments within the government or between
union and state governments or between state government to increase efficiency, performance and
output.
G2E – ICT tools increase the speed and efficiency of interaction between the government and its
employees faster.Employees feels better informed while taking decisions and could able to convey
their work to above authorities in real time manner.
5.4 Significance of Digital Governance
The technological advancements in every field have led to governments adopting modern age
practices to reach to the masses. To bring transparency and allow people to take active participation
in governance, the governments all over the world are taking the help of the technology.
For government
• It saves the cost of physical monitoring and administration and thus leads to cost saving for
the government. Now there will be efficient usage of public funds as they will be less prone
to neglect and waste expenses.
• It will remove the barriers and make the government better at administration and thus result
in better governance.
• It will increase the data collection and thus will help the administration in better evaluation,
implementation, and better scheme outcomes.
• Public policies result in better outcomes and hence public trust in administration will also
increase with the reduced gap because of minimum government and maximum governance.
• Increased accountability, coordination, and communication will arise from efficient file
transfers and work delegation.
• It will lead to better accessibility as the online resources are easier to find and thus the
issues of loss and duplication will be reduced.
For Citizens
• It will empower the citizens to hold the government accountable for their work and policies,
and thus increased transparency will lead to an empowered citizenry, as the digital services
due to their inclusivity goes beyond the geographical barriers and thus increases the scope
of governance.
• E-Governance leads to speedy justice delivery and resolves grievances faster and thus
increasing the public trust and faith in the governance system.
• E-Governance reduces the gap between the citizens and the government to a large extent,
especially those who are vulnerable and historically lacked access like women, Dalits, and
tribals.

31
 • Women-centric schemes are better implemented and the data collection, on the
implementation of schemes, crimes prevailing, trends followed, etc are better gathered
through e governance, same is true for other sections of society.
For Business
• It helps in ease of doing business by making the compliance and performance better. With
digital resources the businesses can now expand their market and client base beyond the
geographical barriers and thus leading to the country’s growth and development and balance
of trade.
• With a paperless economy and fewer physical requirements the process of setting, maintaining,
and coordinating businesses has become better and faster and thus results in reduced delays.
Others
Post COVID era: The government stressed the need for right and optimum use of e-governance
initiatives especially in the post COVID era. It has provided flexible timings and helped people
especially employees during COVID pandemic.
Ease of life: The purpose of e- governance is to bring ease of life for common citizens.
One nation-one portal: Over grievances and redressal, the linking of the Centralized Public Grievance
Redress and Monitoring System with that of the states is almost done realizing Prime Minister’s
vision for one nation-one portal.
Simplification: To support and simplify governance for government, citizens, and businesses.
Transparent and accountable: To make government administration more transparent and accountable
while addressing the society’s needs and expectations through efficient public services and effective
interaction between the people, businesses, and government.
Corruption: To reduce corruption in the government.
Speedy delivery: To ensure speedy administration of services and information.
To reduce difficulties: for business, provide immediate information and enable digital communication
by e-business.
5.5 Future Technologies and Challenges
Frontier technologies are defined as potentially disruptive technologies that can address large-
scale challenges or opportunities. Frontier technology is the next phase in the evolution of modern
technology. It is the intersection where radical forward-thinking and real-world implementation
meet. For example AI, robotics, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things, etc.Frontier technologies
have unlocked new routes to prosperity through agriculture, manufacturing, trade in services, the
linking of informal and formal sectors, and domestic interconnectivity.They have enormous potential
to improve government administration and the delivery of public services.

32
Quantum computing relates to computing made by a quantum computer. Compared to traditional
computing done by a classical computer, a quantum computer should be able to store much more
information and operate with more efficient algorithms. This translates to solving extremely complex
tasks faster.
Associated Challenges
Digital Exclusion: As Information and Communication Technology infrastructure is the backbone of
many frontier technologies, there is a risk of its triggering a new frontier technology divide,
compounding an already existing digital divide. An estimated three billion people could still lack
internet access by 2023, and many more will have little or no opportunity to reap the benefits of
digital technologies. There is a danger that gains associated with frontier technologies will not reach
the world’s poorest people.
Uncertain Future of Work: In the coming decades, the jobs of 785 million workers, that’s equivalent
to over 50 % of total employment in the Asia-Pacific region could be automated.
Trust and Ethical Questions: Frontier Technology per se is not the problem, but there are ethical
issues surrounding privacy, ownership and transparency. With the world’s population projected to
reach ten billion by mid-century, global governance will become even more complex than it is today.
Developing countries, in particular, are starting from a difficult position, because they are already
grappling with the challenges of low human capital, ineffective institutions, and a difficult business
environment.
Issues in Implementation
Lack of computer literacy: India is still a developing country and a vast majority of the citizens
lack computer literacy which hinders the effectiveness of e-governance.
Lack of accessibility: to the internet or even computers in some parts of the country is a disadvantage
to e-governance.
E-Governance results in a loss of human interaction: As the system becomes more mechanized,
lesser interaction takes place among people.
Risk: It gives rise to the risk of personal data theft and leakage.
E-Governance leads to a lax administration: The service provider can easily provide excuses for
not providing the service on technical grounds such as “server is down” or “internet is not working”,
etc.
5.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Digital Governance
b. Significance of Digital Governance
c. Challenges in Implementation

33
5.7 Summary
The digital governance has given a fillip to the overall re-engineering process in the governance
structure of the country with strong political and administrative desire to redefine the existing work
culture, rules and procedures. However, for digital governance to actually lead to empowerment of
citizens, the focus needs to be on multi-level institutional change, which would create opportunities
for the people to utilise the associated benefits. Digital governance applications should be widespread
to cover the rural and remote areas of the country so that the rural population can access internet for
information that is useful to them. It has been observed that most of the projects make use of business
models, public–private partnership models, localisation, appropriate technology and interface with
smart government.
5.8 Glossary
AI: Artificial Intelligence
ICT: Information and Communication Technology
IoT: Internet of Things
3D Printing: Three Dimensional Printing
5.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.4 c. 1.5
5.10 Suggested Readings
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357398959_DIGITAL_GOVERNANCE_
EMERGENCE_AND_IMPORTANCE
Peng, B. (2022). Digital leadership: State governance in the era of digital technology. Cultures
of Science, 5(4), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.1177/2096608321989835
5.11 Terminal Questions
1. Explain the concept of digital governance and outline its scope?
2. Brief about the scope and significance of digital governance.

*****

34
 CHAPTER-6
Issues and Challenges: Digital Divide, Privacy and Cyber Security,
Capacity Building

Structure
6.0 Learning Objectives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Issues and Challenges of Digital Governance
6.3 Digital Divide
6.4 Privacy and Cyber Security
6.5 Capacity Building
6.6 Self-Check Exercise
6.7 Summary
6.8 Glossary
6.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
6.10 Suggested Reading
6.11 Terminal Questions
6.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• The Concept of Digital Divide
• The importance of Privacy and Security
• Requirement of Capacity Building for stakeholders
6.1 Introduction
Around the world, Governments and public sector organizations are facing to reform their
public administration organizations and deliver more efficient and cost effective services, as well as
better knowledge and information to their stakeholders. The emergence of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) has provided means for faster and better communication, retrieval
of data and utilization of information to its users. The enabling role of the ICT in the delivery of
services in the public and government sector has gained acceptance. E-governance has become the
key to good-governance in a developing country like India. Cooperation from government officials
and staff will be crucial in realizing the goals of modernizing this nation through E-Governance. To
be at par with developed countries, the Indian Government has made out a plan to use Information
35
Technology extensively in its operation to make more efficient and effective and also to bring
transparency and accountability. Development of any country can be judged by the scope of E-
Governance in that country.
6.2 Issues and Challenges of Digital Governance
Modern era poses different and difficult issues. Many of those can be dealt with the help of
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). But the use of ICT itself put forward variety
of concerns and issues which are as follows:
Technical Issues
Information Technology infrastructure is the backbone of E-governance.Interoperability with existing
software and hardware platforms is a key success factor. Finally, some legal aspect, like security
and privacy, must be considered, as personal data are processed and stored, and financial transitions
must be executed.
Social Issues
Acceptance and usability by a large variety of people make e-governance successful. The interface
must be usable by rich or poor, disabled or elderly people, understandable by low literacy or non-
native language people.
Infrastructure
Social, geographical and economic disparity issues have to be removed and proper infrastructure is
required to establish e-governance.The ICT facilities need to be developed and should be available
to one and all citizens. Internet connection through satellite, phone lines or through cable or Television
should be accessible for all especially to the people in rural areas.
Accessibility
Any service should be accessible by anybody from anywhere at any time. Even if Internet population
is exponentially growing in India, still there is a significant portion of the people who may not be
able to access services for various reasons like limited access to ICT technologies and devices, low
literacy, or phobia for Computer etc. Therefore, universal access is still a mirage.
Usability & Acceptance
People especially in rural areas are often not expert users and need guidance and support for their
transaction. Governmental websites must be user friendly, to be effective. A reconceptualization of
government services is mandatory for successful implementation and to get social acceptance.
Political will power & Economic issues
E-governance means less interaction with government servants, it will be helpful in reducing bribery
issues. Economic issues are mainly concerned with return of investment and safeguard of the previous
ones. Cost of implementation, operational and evolutionary maintenance must be low enough to
guarantee a good cost/benefit ratio.
36
Legal issues
Strong and effective rules related with IT has to be formulated and strongly implemented. This
presupposes the adoption and use of security measures more particularly empowering and training
judiciary and law enforcement manpower with the knowledge and use of cyber forensics and digital
evidencing.
Other issues
Underutilization of existing ICT infrastructure.Attitude of Government Departments and
governmentofficers need a proper counselling. Many officersperceive their department as most
important and disregard other department’s needs. Lack of coordination between Govt. Department
and Solution developers.Resistance to re-engineering of departmental processes is also a challenge,
but this approach is changing now.
6.3 Digital Divide
It refers to the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital technology and the
internet, and those without this access. The Digital Divide, also called the digital split, is a social
issue referring to the gap that exists between individuals who have access to modern information and
communication technology and those who lack the access. It represents the disparities between
demographics and regions at different social, economic levels or other categories over the use of
Internet and communication technologies. The digital divide can exist between those living in rural
areas and those living in urban areas, between the educated and uneducated, between economic
classes, and on a global scale between more and less industrially developed nations.
Digital Divide - Types
Gender Divide - the internet gender gap is striking especially in developing countries. Though
mobile connectivity is spreading drastically, it is not spreading equally. Women are still lagging.
Studies indicate that Indian women are around 15% less likely to own a mobile phone than men.
Even among women owning mobile phones, most have no access to internet connectivity.
Social Digital Divide - Internet access creates relationships and social circles among people with
shared interests. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc. create online peer groups
based on similar interests. Internet usage has created social stratification which is evident among
those that are connected to the internet and those that are not. Non-connected groups are side-lined
since they don’t share the benefits enjoyed by the groups connected on the internet.
Access Digital Divide - The main barriers under this point are lack of telecommunication infrastructure
with sufficient reliable bandwidth, the high cost and the inability to purchase or rent the necessary
equipment. This results in lack of access to technology.
The Urban-Rural divide- the digital divide between India’s rural and urban areas during the lockdown
was highlighted not just in the education sector, but was evident everywhere, be it telemedicine, e-
commerce, banking, e-governance all of which became accessible only through the internet during
the lockdown. Services such as online classrooms, financial transactions and e-governance require
access to the internet as well as the ability to operate internet-enabled devices like phones, tablets
and computers.
37
Regional Digital Divide and Intra-State Digital inequality - In terms of people that have access to
computers or the know-how to use the internet, States too greatly differ in the matrices. Southern
states are more digitally literate than Northern counterparts. Kerala is the state where the difference
between rural and urban areas is the least.
Other Digital Divide - This includes inequality in the usage of digital technologies due to lack of
ICTs skill or support, physical disability or cultural and behavioural attitudes towards technology.
6.4 Privacy and Cyber Security
The Puttaswamy judgement holds that the right to privacy is protected as a fundamental
constitutional right under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.Concerns about surveillance
all across the globe due to Cambridge analytical and other scandals. Privacy has been defined by the
US judiciary as the right to be let alone. This concept is now being deemed by experts as insufficient
in a large interconnected world. The Supreme Court of India opined (in Ram Jethmalani vs Union of
India case.) that “it is important that human beings should be allowed domains of freedom that are
free of public scrutiny unless they act in an unlawful manner.” Privacy ensures that freedom of
speech and expression survives. This is because once we are put under surveillance we will start to
censor ourselves for fear of state action. Democratic ideals of Pluralism and diversity start in the
mind. And only an unfettered mind free from fear can appreciate and revel in these ideals. Recently
the use of private data for election campaigning brought out the controversy regarding large scale
storage of public data.
Facebook, Equifax, etc. were also under fire for violating user privacy and using unethical
means to track users’ lifestyle and movements. Repressive regimes like Saudi Arabia and China also
extensively use data mining technology to monitor and surveil citizens. They use coercive methods to
suppress dissent and censor free speech. India also had plans to initiate a mass surveillance programme
but had to put it on hold after receiving widespread criticism.
Concerns with respect to privacy: Having no privacy is like having a perpetual warrant in your
name. If you feel you are under constant surveillance you will never enjoy freedom and liberty which
are your fundamental rights. Unregulated access to data can lead to the suppression of dissent and
censorship. Journalists, Human Rights Activists etc. can be put under an invisible prison of
surveillance. People who are leading a lifestyle which is deemed a taboo by a certain section of the
society might be vilified or targeted. E.g. homosexuals.Surveillance by Police also causes a
concentration of power and puts civil liberties at serious risk. Law enforcement officials across the
world are also accused of unauthorised data collection, data mining to predict travel plans etc. to put
citizen’s reputation at risk.
Cyber Security is protecting cyber space including critical information infrastructure from attack,
damage, misuse and economic espionage.
Cyber Space: A global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent
network of information technology infrastructures, including the Internet, telecommunications networks,
computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers.
38
Critical Information Infrastructure (CII): According to Section 70(1) of the Information Technology
Act, CII is defined as a “computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have
debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety”.
Cyber Attack: It is a malicious and deliberate attempt by an individual or organization to breach the
information system of another individual or organization.
Types of Cyber Attacks
Malware, short for malicious software refers to any kind of software that is designed to cause
damage to a single computer, server, or computer network. Ransomware, Spy ware, Worms, viruses,
and Trojans are all varieties of malware.
Phishing: It is the method of trying to gather personal information using deceptive e-mails and
websites.
Denial of Service attacks: A Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is an attack meant to shut down a
machine or network, making it inaccessible to its intended users. DoS attacks accomplish this by
flooding the target with traffic, or sending it information that triggers a crash.
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, also known as eavesdropping attacks, occur when attackers
insert themselves into a two-party transaction. Once the attackers interrupt the traffic, they can filter
and steal data.
Need for Cyber Security
For Individuals: Photos, videos and other personal information shared by an individual on social
networking sites can be inappropriately used by others, leading to serious and even life-threatening
incidents.
For Business Organizations: Companies have a lot of data and information on their systems. A
cyber-attack may lead to loss of competitive information (such as patents or original work), loss of
employees/customers private data resulting into complete loss of public trust on the integrity of the
organization.
For Government: A local, state or central government maintains huge amount of confidential data
related to country (geographical, military strategic assets etc.) and citizens. Unauthorized access to
the data can lead to serious threats on a country.
International Mechanisms:
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency within the United
Nations which plays a leading role in the standardization and development of telecommunications
and cyber security issues.
Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: It is an international treaty that seeks to address Internet and
computer crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and
increasing cooperation among nations. It came into force on 1 July 2004. India is not a signatory to
this convention.
39
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN): It is a non-profit organization
responsible for coordinating the maintenance and procedures of several databases related to the
namespaces and numerical spaces of the Internet, ensuring the network’s stable and secure operation.
It has its headquarters in Los Angeles, U.S.A.
6.5 Capacity Building
Capacity building is the process of developing and strengthening the skills, abilities, processes
and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive. It involves
improving the facility or capabilities of an individual or an organisation to produce perform and
deploy something. Capacity building can include any activity that is used to increase the amount of
productive ability that an organisation has.
The consensus approach of the international community for the components of capacity
building as established by the World Bank, United Nations and European Commission consists of
five areas: a clear policy framework, institutional development and legal framework, citizen
participation and oversight, human resources improvements including education and training, and
sustainability.
Capacity Building scheme under Digital India programme envisions building adequate and
relevant capacities at all levels in the Government. The objective is to develop a holistic understanding
on visualising, conceiving and delivering projects.
6.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Digital Divide b. Privacy and Cyber Security
6.7 Summary
E-governance is getting momentous in India. E-governance has had great role in each sphere
of the economy over number of years. India economy has been progressive one on account of good
governance. Conventionally, govt. used to struggle to provide services to its citizens before initiatives
of e-governance. When government started launching many initiatives for e-governance; it has become
one of the emerging economies due to its potentiality of ICT. Till now, govt. has implemented various
initiatives with different projects (Digital India, e-kranti, etc.).
However, it still has some hurdles regarding e-governance, such as: digital divide between
urban and rural, poverty, illiteracy, security and cost of implementation, etc. Each of these issues and
challenges are posing serious concern to government. Meanwhile, previous and current govt. launched
multiple initiatives by overcoming the above issues and challenges. Under twelve five year plan,
some of the future prospects outlined and partly achieved by every government. However, govt.
should spend more on this initiative to make it transparent, convenient, and safer and citizen friendly
in order to enhance people confidence in to good democratic e-governance.

40
6.8 Glossary
CII: Critical Information Infrastructure
ICT: Information and Communication Technology
IoT: Internet of Things
6.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.3 b. 1.4
6.10 Suggested Readings
Annual Report. (2015) – “e-Governance Policy Initiatives under Digital India”, Dept. of Electronics
and Information Technology,Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Govt. of India.
Beniwal, V.S., and Sikka, Kapil. (2013) -”e-Governance in India: prospects and challenges,
International Journal of Computer & Communication Technology, issn: 0975-7449, volume-4, issue.3
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/quality-
framework/technical-notes/concept-of-governance/
6.11 Terminal Questions
1. What are the issues and challenges in digital governance?

2. Brief about the digital divide and cyber security?

*****

41
 CHAPTER-7
Democracy, Information, Social Media Platforms, Drivers and
Barriers of Open Digital Governance

Structure
7.0 Learning Objectives
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Democracy and Information
7.3 Social Media Platforms
7.4 Drivers and Barriers of Open Digital Governance
7.5 Role of Digital Governance in Democracy
7.6 Self-Check Exercise
7.7 Summary
7.8 Glossary
7.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
7.10 Suggested Reading
7.11 Terminal Questions
7.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• The role of Social Media Platforms
• The drivers and barriers of Open Digital Governance
• Role of Social media and Digital Governance in a Democracy
7.1 Introduction
Over the past decade, digital governance has evolved from providing static content and
services to integrating user generated content and social media technologies. This allows citizens to
participate and provide regular feedback on policies and programs, both of which promote public
value through e-democracy.
Along with e-government and e-democracy, the concepts of open government and transparency
are new paradigms which emphasize access to data and its reuse, and thereby promote interoperability
and innovation. The recent developments in wireless technologies have introduced new means and
directions of communication. Millions of people all over the world are now engaged in political,
economic, cultural, and educational discourses due to the vast expansion of the World Wide Web.
42
Indeed, open digital governance and social media has transformed people’s lifestyles and has
introduced a new pattern of social interaction.
7.2 Democracy and Information
Access to information is one of the keys to democracy. Allowing people to seek and receive
public documents serves as a critical tool for fighting corruption, enabling citizens to more fully
participate in public life, making governments more efficient, encouraging investment, and helping
persons exercise their fundamental human rights. Many governments are confronted with the urgent
need to improve their economy, reform their constitution, strengthen institutions, modernize the public
administration, fight corruption, and address civil unrest. For these governments, access to information
can be used to achieve all of these objectives. With an access to information law, governments must
establish record keeping and archiving systems, which serves to make them more efficient, reduce
discretion and allow them to make better decisions based on factual information. Moreover, greater
transparency can help re-establish trust between government and its citizens.
It is critical to work with both government and civil society. There is co-responsibility in the
development of a vibrant access to information program. The government must pass a good law and
implement the necessary procedures and processes, while civil society has the responsibility of
using the law and monitoring government’s efforts. In India, documents obtained through access to
information requests uncovered the fact that money for infrastructure projects, such as a canal for
clean water, was being stolen by the contractor and the paperwork forged. In Thailand, a single
mother used her right to information to demonstrate that her daughter was denied a place in the best
public schools not because she had failed the entrance exam, as the school directors claimed, but
simply because she was poor and could not pay the bribes. So, access to information is one of the
keys to democracy, as it allows people to fight corruption, engage in public life and exercise human
rights.
7.3 Social Media Platforms
The introduction of the printing press in 15th century Europe revolutionised the social
landscape, helping information spread further and faster than ever before. This had a deep link with
the spread idea of democracy all over the world. In the present era, social media represents a similar
paradigm shift. Today, social media plays a crucial role in facilitating and distributing content related
to all the matters that have a larger influence on public opinion and subsequently on democracy.
Although social media helps in the deepening of democracy, it also tends to weaken the concept of
democracy and the emergence of anarchy, because of its unregulated nature and its role in the spread
of fake news.
Benefits of Social Media
Democratisation of Information
Social media is allowing the democratisation of knowledge and broader communication.
Billions of netizens around the world now feel empowered to bypass traditional curators of information.
They have also become creators and disseminators of content, not just consumers of it.
43
New Opportunities
The rise of the virtual world provides voiceless people unprecedented opportunities to assert
themselves and experience a sense of belongingness.The rise of several YouTubers as a medium of
profession is a testimony of the phenomenon.
Wider and Heterogeneous Communities
Online communities are, geographically, much wider and more heterogeneous than physical
communities.In the past, many communities in India were not allowed to participate in public
discourses, organise themselves and advance their thoughts and ideas.Their concerns, ideas,
experiences, ambitions and demands largely went unheard.
Cheap and Easy
Today, creating content needs less investment than the brick and mortar or any other Physical set up.It
is more often soft-skill driven.With the assistance of technology, anyone can create competent, authentic,
effective and fresh online content.
Countering the Hegemony
Social Media has also evolved as a tool to counter the hegemony or narrative of traditional players.It
has provided an alternate source of Knowledge in a world where mainstream media has come under
severe public criticism for fake news and propaganda.
Closing the Distance
Social Media has also bridged the distance.Friends and Family are now connected over WhatsApp
and other Apps despite being far away in distance.
Direct Interaction with Government
Today Social Media has empowered common people to directly interact with the government and
avail government services directly.Common people tagging Railway and other ministries and the
agencies responding to them are common news these days.
Challenges
Hate speech and Rumours
Hate speech and rumours in India have been responsible for acts of violence and deaths in many of
the cases for quite some time now.The most recent being the case when two sadhus and their driver
were lynched in Gadchinchale village in Palghar, Maharashtra this year.The incident was fuelled by
WhatsApp rumours about thieves operating in the area and the group of villagers had mistaken the
three passengers as thieves and killed them. Several policemen who intervened were also attacked
and injured.Similarly Hate Speech on Social Media had a big role in the Delhi Riots of 2020.
Fake News
A 2019 Microsoft study found that over 64% of Indians encounter fake news online, the highest
reported amongst the 22 countries surveyed. There are a staggering number of edited images,
44
manipulated videos and fake text messages spreading through social media platforms and messaging
services like WhatsApp making it harder to distinguish between misinformation and credible facts.
Online Trolling
Trolling is the new bi product of Social Media.Vigilantes take law in their own hand and start
trolling and threatening those who don’t agree with their views or narratives.It has led to anonymous
trolls who attack the reputation of an individual.
Women Safety
Women face cyber rape and threats that affect their dignity severely.Sometimes their pictures and
videos are leaked with and are forced to cyber bullying.
7.4 Drivers and Barriers of Open Digital Governance
Drivers for the promotion of Open Digital Governance throughout the world can be summed
up in the below mentioned points:
• Financial scrutiny and oversight: digital technologies provide right direction of financial
scrutiny and monitoring while implementation of schemes is going on.
• Accountability for performance: In order to hold administration accountable towards the
required task, digital platform can play required roles.
• Risk management that provides effective oversight: Availability and accessibility of data
through digital technologies help in decision making.
• Managing change well: Real time changes are happening all the time around any system.
Information technological applications help to cope up with the spontaneous changes and
managing the resources well.
• Effective assurance that systems are robust and reliable: Digital technologies are robust and
reliable which assure for the smooth functioning of government processes.
• Stakeholders - The organization has to place in the right people to assess and make decisions
about the impact of implementing new digital technologies and the use of information or data
about its key stakeholders. Key stakeholders may include the individuals your organisation
sets out to deliver a service to, your staff and key strategic partners.
• Delivering ESG – digital technologies will support it in meeting its environmental, social
and governance (ESG) goals or targets, for example in relation to corruption reduction
measures.
Barriers in the expansion of Open Digital Governance:
Different Language: India is a country where people with different cultures and different religions
live. People belonging to different states speak different languages. The diversity of people in context
of language is a huge challenge for implementing e-Governance projects as e-Governance applications
are written in English language. And also, English may not be understandable by most of the people.
45
Low Literacy: Literacy can be defined as the ability to read and write with understanding in any
language. A person who can merely read but cannot write cannot be considered as literate. Any
formal education or minimum educational standard is not necessary to be considered literate. Literacy
level of India is very low which is a huge obstacle in implementation of e-Governance projects.
User friendliness of government websites: Users of e-Governance applications are often non-
expert users who may not be able to use the applications in a right manner. Such users need guidance
to find the right way to perform their transactions.
Cost: In developing countries like India, cost is one of the most important obstacles in the path of
implementation of e-Governance where major part of the population is living below poverty line.
Even the politicians do not have interest in implementing e-Governance. A huge amount of money is
involved in implementation, operational and evolutionary maintenance tasks.
Interoperability: Interoperability is the ability of systems and organizations of different qualities to
work together. The e-Governance applications must have this characteristic so that the newly developed
and existing applications can be implemented together.
Privacy and Security: A critical obstacle in implementing e-Governance is the privacy and security
of an individual’s personal data that he/she provides to obtain government services.
Geographical problems: Corporate networks reside on reliable and controlled networks. Government
networks have to go into all areas which are even unfriendly to live. It is, however, costly to wire up
all the villages in the country. So, e-Governance systems must have to use the wireless networks like
existing cellular networks to reach the applications into remote areas irrespective of the geographical
issues.
Data Localisation: In case of India, the social media giants have their servers outside the territory
of country. For safety concerns it is recommended to store that data within the premises of Indian
Territory.
7.5 Role of Digital Governance in Democracy
A vibrant democracy needs effective exchange of ideas between the government and the
citizens. Digital technological platforms provides real time medium for the exchange of information.
It helps in spontaneous exchange of ideas which are beneficial for each stakeholder in a democratic
setup. Some of the important roles played mentioned below:
Data Driven Governance: Technology facilitates communication. The Internet and smartphones
have enabled instant transmission of high volumes of data that acts as a fodder for effective governance.
Costs Saving: A lot of Government expenditure goes towards the cost of buying stationery for
official purposes. Letters and written records consume a lot of stationery. However, replacing them
with smartphones and the internet can save crores of money in expenses every year.
Transparency: The use of e-governance helps make all functions of the business transparent. All
official information can be uploaded onto the internet. The citizens specifically access whichever
information they want, whenever they want it, at their convenience.
46
Accountability: Transparency directly links to accountability. Once the functions and information of
the governance is available to the citizens, the government is more accountable to its actions.
Land Record Monitoring: A vast developing country like India, with its diverse land tenure system
requires effective land monitoring. In order to ensure that transactions related to properties are not
fraudulent, along with physical transactions, online record maintenance is a key feature of e-governance
in India.
7.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Democracy and Information
b. Social Media Platforms
c. Drivers and Barriers of Open Digital Governance
7.7 Summary
If there’s one fundamental truth about social media’s impact on democracy it’s that it amplifies
human intent - both good and bad. At its best, it allows us to express ourselves and take action. At its
worst, it allows people to spread misinformation and corrode democracy.The Covid-19 pandemic
has shown how social media can help average citizens and complement the efforts of the modern
governments in dealing with the crisis. Around the world, social media is making it easier for people
to have a voice in government - to discuss issues, organize around causes, and hold leaders accountable.
However, due to its unregulated nature and its role in the spread of fake news, social media leads to
spread of propaganda, targets minorities, destabilizes the elected governments, which all in turn
compromises the spirit of democracy.
7.8 Glossary
ESG: Environment Social Governance
ICT: Information and Communication Technology
WWW: World Wide Web
7.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.4
7.10 Suggested Readings
Berg, S., & Hofmann, J. (2021).Digital democracy.Internet Policy Review, 10(4).
https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/article31843030.ece
Jha, C. K., &Kodila-Tedika, O. (2020).Does social media promote democracy? Some empirical
evidence. Journal of Policy Modeling, 42(2), 271-290.
Margetts, H. (2018). Rethinking democracy with social media.Political Quarterly, 90(S1).
7.11 Terminal Questions
1. Explain the role of social media platforms for democratic setup?
2. What are the drivers and barriers in digital governance?
*****
47
 CHAPTER-8
Social Media Platforms: Problems of Control and Misinformation

Structure
8.0 Learning Objectives
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Evolution of Social Media Platforms
8.3 Why Regulations needed
8.4 Instances of Misinformation
8.5 Recent Steps around world to Control Fake news
8.6 Self-Check Exercise
8.7 Summary
8.8 Glossary
8.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
8.10 Suggested Reading
8.11 Terminal Questions
8.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• The evolution of Social Media Platforms
• The need to regulate the social media
• Steps taken by various governments
8.1 Introduction
Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly
features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a
chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our
fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social
media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot
be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media.
Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic.Social media is the
common interaction among people in which they create, share or exchange information and ideas in
virtual communities. It has become the basic need and quality of human beings to be social. The
spectacular developments in communications and innovative and astonishing entertainment have
48
given access to information and the ability to provide a voice for people who would never have been
heard. The current generation is fortunate enough to witness some of the most amazing technological
developments ever in history. It has become the rage of this age.
8.2 Evolution of Social Media Platforms
The evolution of social media has been fuelled by the human impulse to communicate and by
advances in digital technology. It is a story about establishing and nurturing personal connections at
scale. In less than a generation, social media has evolved from direct electronic information exchange,
to virtual gathering place, to retail platform, to vital 21st-century marketing tool.
While the roots of digital communication run deep, most contemporary accounts of the modern
origins of today’s internet and social media point to the emergence in 1969 of the Advanced Research
Projects Agency Network — the ARPANET. This early digital network, created by the United States
Department of Defence, allowed scientists at four interconnected universities to share software,
hardware, and other data. In 1987, the direct precursor to today’s internet came into being when the
National Science Foundation launched a more robust, nationwide digital network known as the
NSFNET. A decade later, in 1997, the first true social media platform was launched.
In the 1980s and ’90s, according to “The History of Social Networking” on the technology
news site Digital Trends, the internet’s growth enabled the introduction of online communication
services such as CompuServe, America Online, and Prodigy. They introduced users to digital
communication through email, bulletin board messaging, and real-time online chatting. This gave
rise to the earliest social media networks, beginning with the short-lived Six Degrees profile uploading
service in 1997.
In 2002, LinkedIn was founded as a networking site for career-minded professionals. By
2020, it had grown to more than 675 million users worldwide. It remains the social media site of
choice for job seekers as well as human resources managers searching for qualified candidates. Two
other major forays into social media collapsed after a burst of initial success. In 2003, Myspace
launched. By 2006, it was the most visited website on the planet, spurred by users’ ability to share
new music directly on their profile pages. By 2008, it was eclipsed by Facebook. In 2011, Myspace
was purchased by musician Justin Timberlake for $35 million, but it has since become a social
media afterthought. Google’s attempt to elbow its way into the social media landscape, Google+,
launched in 2012. A rocky existence came to an end in 2018, after the private information of nearly
500,000 Google+ users was compromised by a data security breach.
8.3 Why Regulations Needed
International technology firms, for instance, Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc. constitute the
digital infrastructure in almost the entire world. They are rarely regulated and are barely accountable,
yet these corporations are playing a significant role in totally transforming the social world. Even if
these platforms offer new ways to interact and communicate with people from all over the world.
They also end up creating security vulnerabilities and a platform for criminal elements that want to
circulate misinformation or encourage terrorist activities and cyber-attacks, participate in online
49
sexual harassment and bullying, destroy or steal sensitive data and personal information and suppress
free speech.As more people in this virtual world, regardless of their age and gender, are signing up
for online social networking accounts to communicate and connect with one another.The possibility
of such attacks leads to only one solution, that is, the era of social media without any regulations
governing it should come to an immediate end.
Defamation and Hate Speech
The most often documented and observed crimes occurring on social networking sites include
people making anonymous threats, bullying, harassing, and stalking others. Most of these types of
crimes go unpunished and are therefore not treated very seriously. Defamation on Social media may
be defined as representing someone by hacking their social media accounts and sending indecent or
inappropriate messages to the friends and followers of the individual, consisting of vulgar language
and obscene content or by uploading such content through that individual’s account on social networking
sites.
Hate speech is described as a speech of aggressive nature containing statements of inferiority
and messages expressing prejudice against an individual or community based on certain features.
These features may include ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, caste, national origin,
sex, race, gender, and severe disability or illness.
Online harassment and cyber stalking
Cyberstalking is described as a crime in which the stalkers need the Internet and any other
electronic device to stalk anyone. Online abuse, bullying, and harassment on social networking sites
are synonymous with cyber-stalking. It usually includes the conduct of repeated harassment or threats
done towards an individual. Cyberbullying and harassment can include threatening or harassing
email messages, text messages, or uploading information online. It aims at a particular individual
either through attempting to contact them directly or by distributing their private and sensitive
information, to cause distress, fear, and anger.
The primary advantage of cyber stalker is that they depend on the anonymity offered by
social media or the internet which allows them to keep a track of their victim’s activities without the
fear of anybody detecting their identity. There can be numerous psychological factors behind stalking,
such as extreme narcissism, hate, anger, revenge, jealousy, fixation, mental illness, the need for
power and control, perverted sexual desires, sexual deviance etc.
Privacy and social media
The privacy of an individual is a basic human right, whether it is on social media or in the
physical world, depriving a person of his right to privacy is similar to snatching away a person’s
dignity and his liberty. The Supreme Court held in the case of Justice K.S.Puttaswamy v. Union of
India that any invasion of the privacy of any individual by the government should be sanctioned by
law and should be for fulfilment of essential state objectives.

50
8.4 Instances of Misinformation
Misinformation is untrue or inaccurate information. This has several common varieties as
follows:
• Misuse of Statistics that are meaningless because they do not follow a proper mathematical
or scientific methodology.
• Misinterpretation of something that has some basis in truth such as the findings of a scientific
study.
• Fallacies are errors in logic. These are frequently communicated and spread by media,
social media and word of mouth.
• Cherry picking is a particularly common fallacy whereby evidence is ignored if it doesn’t
align to your argument or ideology.
• Information that is presented without context. For example, a 20 second video clip that tells
one story where a longer 3 minute clips of the same event tells a completely different story.
• Disinformation is misinformation that is intentionally spread. For example, an intentional
false rumor that is designed to discredit an adversary.
• The term propaganda indicates a sophisticated disinformation campaigned sponsored by a
government,political party, industry or organization.
• Information that spreads by word of mouth, often changing and becoming further from the
truth with each retelling. Due to the nature of rumors it is difficult to determine where they
began.
• Nuances are small details and grey areas that are important to understanding information.
For example, a person’s tone of voice and facial expression when they say something may
indicate elements of communication such as humor, metaphor and sarcasm.
A false claim about widespread child trafficking and harvesting of organs circulated widely
through WhatsApp resulted in mob violence and more than three dozen deadly lynchings in 2017 and
2018.
Social media platform TikTok belonging to the parent company Byte Dance the application
was also banned for a short span of time as the content it hosted was deemed inappropriate by the
Madras High Court, especially with respect to the minor children who were getting subjected to
obscene content depicting pornography, due to which India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology ordered for the app to be removed from the app stores.
8.5 Recent Steps around world to Control Fake News
A While the government appreciated the technology that would contribute towards economic
growth and development, it also expressed concerns about the unprecedented increase in the use of
hate speech, false and misleading news, danger to public order, anti-national behaviours, defamatory
51
and offensive posts and other criminal activities on such social media websites. The Internet has
developed into a powerful way to undermine the democratic political system unimaginably because
of uncontrolled content circulating in social media. The Ministry of Information Technology (IT)
also believed that the current rules for effective intermediary regulation must be revised in view of
growing risks to the integrity, sovereignty, and protection of individual rights and the country.
• Under Indian laws the crimes done on social media are governed under the Information
Technology Act, 2000 and Indian Penal Code, 1860
• In a bid to combat fake news, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has set up a fact-checking
unit to verify news related to the government’s ministries, departments and schemes.
• The social networking websites such as Facebook and its sister sites namely WhatsApp and
Instagram and other similar platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, etc.to store their records for
at least 180 days and to locate the source of any content uploaded on their platforms and to
share the same with the authorities within 72 hours from when the demand is made.
• The Personal Data Protection Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha in December 2019. The Bill
tabled differed considerably than the one recommended by the Justice Srikrishna Committee.
The bill introduced the concept of “Social Media Intermediary” and proposed that certain
social media platforms would be required to provide its users with the option to verify their
accounts willingly, allowing much more transparency. Section 26 of the bill describes the
term “Social Media Intermediary” a mechanism to support and facilitate the online contact
between users on social media. The bill allows the intermediaries to offer the users the
option of getting their accounts verified.
• Germany’s NetzDG law came into effect at the beginning of 2018, applying to companies
with more than two million registered users in the country. They were forced to set up
procedures to review complaints about content they were hosting, remove anything that was
clearly illegal within 24 hours and publish updates every six months about how they were
doing.
• The EU also introduced the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which set rules on
how companies, including social media platforms, store and use people’s data.
• Australia passed the Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Act in 2019, introducing criminal
penalties for social media companies, possible jail sentences for tech executives for up to
three years and financial penalties worth up to 10% of a company’s global turnover.
• Russia’s data laws from 2015 required social media companies to store any data about
Russians on servers within the country.
• Sites such as Twitter, Google and WhatsApp are blocked in China. Their services are provided
instead by Chinese providers such as Weibo, Baidu and WeChat. china has hundreds of
thousands of cyber-police, who monitor social media platforms and screen messages that
are deemed to be politically sensitive.
52
 • Self-Regulations: Every Social media platforms claim to give self-regulatory check for the
information which it is sharing.
8.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Evolution of Social Media
b. Need for Regulations on Social Media
8.7 Summary
Social media is a revolution in the history of communication that enables us to communicate
and socialise locally and globally. It has benefits and drawbacks for the society. Some of the benefits
are connecting with people, sharing information, raising awareness and enhancing education. Some
of the drawbacks are cyberbullying, privacy issues, addiction and misinformation. Social media has
significant impact on the society and its users.
In short, certainly social media has both gains and losses. But, it all depends on the user at the
end. The youth must especially create stability between their academic fulfilment, physical exercises,
and social media. Excess use of anything is dangerous and the same applies to the use of social
media. Accordingly, we must attempt to live a pleasing life with the appropriate balance.
8.8 Glossary
EU: European Union
OTT: Over the Top
PIB: Press Information Bureau
8.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b.1.3
8.10 Suggested Readings
Aichner, T., Grünfelder, M., Maurer, O., &Jegeni, D. (2021). Twenty-five years of social media: a
review of social media applications and definitions from 1994 to 2019. Cyberpsychology, behavior,
and social networking, 24(4), 215-222.
https://meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Personal_Data_Protection_Bill%2C2018_0.pdf
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-47135058
O’Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011).The impact of social media on children, adolescents,
and families.Pediatrics, 127(4), 800-804.
8.11 Terminal Questions
1. Explain briefly the evolution of Social Media Platforms?
2. Enumerate some examples of regulations around the world for Social Media?
*****
53
 CHAPTER-9
Introduction to Disaster and Types of Disaster

Structure
9.0 Learning Objectives
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Classification of Disasters
9.3 Causes for Occurrence of the Disasters
9.4 Impacts of Disasters and Recent Examples
9.5 Disaster Management
9.6 Self-Check Exercise
9.7 Summary
9.8 Glossary
9.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
9.10 Suggested Reading
9.11 Terminal Questions
9.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Types of Disasters
• Reasons and Occurrences of Disasters
• Major impacts on the lives of People
• Response to the Disaster
9.1 Introduction
Natural disasters and crises have been an integral part of human history right from the dawn
of civilization. The rise and fall of the Indus Valley and Babylonian civilizations are a testimony to
this. In the early days, individuals and communities would lead the response to disasters. However,
with the emergence of the modern welfare state and the 20th century trends of globalization,
urbanization, large-scale migrations of human population and climate changes, the nature of crises
facing nations has increased both in magnitude and complexity. For example, while the frequency of
calamities may have remained unchanged, increasing population densities and urbanization have
resulted in greater impact on human lives and property. In the field of public health, while science
has secured a major victory over epidemics, new strains of viruses and drug resistant micro-organisms
54
have emerged raising the sceptre of global pandemics of new and more deadly diseases. Similarly,
while frequency of wars has declined, modern weapons and mass urbanization have increased
manifold the human crisis caused by such conflicts. The scourge of terrorism has created new types
of disaster and increasing dependence on communications and computer networks have increased
the threat of newer emergencies in case these are disabled by accident or design. Further, phenomena
like modernization, information explosion, transnational migrations, and the economic interdependence
among nations have all contributed to extending the impact of crisis situations over larger areas.
The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) of the United Nations (U.N.) defines
a hazard as “a potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity that may cause the
loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.”
Hazards could be, natural (geological, hydrometeorological and biological) or induced by human
processes (environmental degradation and technological hazards). Hazards can be single, sequential
or combined in their origin and effects. Accordingly, Hazard Analysis entails the identification,
study and monitoring of a hazard to determine its potential, origin and characteristics. A disaster is a
result of natural or man-made causes that leads to sudden disruption of normal life, causing severe
damage to life and property to an extent those available social and economic protection mechanisms
are inadequate to cope. Even at the outset, the conceptual distinction between ‘hazards’ and ‘disasters’
needs to be brought out clearly.Floods, Cyclones, et al are events in nature until a configuration of
factors, which could be man-made or natural or both, cause the hazard to turn to a disaster. Disaster
is the actual occurrence of the apprehended catastrophe.
9.2 Classification of Disasters
Disasters are classified as per origin, into natural and man-made disasters. As per severity,
disasters are classified as minor or major (in impact). Natural disasters are sudden ecological
disruptions or threats that exceed the adjustment capacity of the affected community and require
external assistance. Natural disasters can be broadly classified into categories including geophysical
such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; hydrological such as floods; meteorological such as
hurricanes; climatological such as heat and cold waves and droughts; and biological such as epidemics.
Man-made disasters can include hazardous material spills, fires, groundwater contamination,
transportation accidents, structure failures, mining accidents, explosions and acts of terrorism.
Disasters can be classified into the following categories:
• Water and Climate Disaster: Flood, hail storms, cloudburst, cyclones, heat waves, cold
waves, droughts, hurricanes.
• Geological Disaster: Landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes
• Biological Disaster: Viral epidemics, pest attacks, cattle epidemic, and locust plagues
• Industrial Disaster: Chemical and industrial accidents, mine shaft fires, oil spills,
• Nuclear Disasters: Nuclear core meltdowns, radiation poisoning
• Man-made disasters: Urban and forest fires, oil spill, the collapse of huge building structures

55
 There is also increasing understanding of man-made causes behind most natural disasters,
which calls for, and has, in fact, affected renewed understanding/perception of disasters. For both
natural and man-made disasters, there is increasing evidence to suggest that both are in fact ‘policy
disasters’ rather than the results of nature’s vagaries or designs of fate. Increasing evidence suggests
that human fallacies, such as inadequate legal framework to regulate hazardous units, have resulted
in tragedies like the Bhopal tragedy and the inhouseVizag steel accidents where minor fires and
deaths of employees due to mishaps have been reported. Unrestricted felling of forests, serious
damage to mountain ecology, overuse of groundwater, changing patterns of cultivation, etc., has
precipitated recurring floods and droughts. The spate of landslides in the Himalayas in recent years
can be directly related to unchecked exploitation of forests and mountain vegetation and networksof
roads that have been indiscriminately laid in the name of development.
9.3 Causes for Occurrence of Disasters
Broadly we can categorise the reasons for occurrence of disasters as follows:
Environmental degradation: Removal of trees and forest cover from a watershed area have caused,
soil erosion, expansion of flood plain area in upper and middle course of rivers and groundwater
depletion.
Developmental process: Exploitation of land use, development of infrastructure, rapid urbanization
and technological development have caused increasing pressure over the natural resources.
Political issues: War, nuclear power aspirations, fight between countries to become super power
and conquering land, sea and skies. These have resulted into wide range of disaster events such as
Hiroshima nuclear explosion, Syrian civil war, growing militarisation of oceans and outer space.
Industrialization: This has resulted into warming of earth and frequency of extreme weather events
has also increased.
9.4 Impact of Disaster and Recent Examples
Disaster, natural or human induced, is an unwelcome guest and leaves a permanent impression
of its visit on the victims. Disaster plays havoc with the lives of people. They cause excessive losses
to the humanity and infrastructure. Due to disaster, the normal life is thrown out of gear and the
existing patterns of regulatory and development administration suffers heavily. The economic, social
and psychological dimensions of the wrath of disaster adversely affect the environment around.
Frequencies as well as intensity of natural disasters are increasing globally including India. Disaster
impacts are felt more in developing countries due to borderline economic status of the vulnerable
population, which have inadequate adjustment capacity. Below mentioned are the major impacts
seen after disaster:
• Disaster impacts individuals physically (through loss of life, injury, health, disability) as
well as psychologically.
• Disaster results in huge economic loss due to destruction of property, human settlements and
infrastructure etc.
56
 • Disaster can alter the natural environment, loss of habitat to many plants and animals and
cause ecological stress that can result in biodiversity loss.
• After natural disasters, food and other natural resources like water often becomes scarce
resulting into food and water scarcity.
• The disaster results in displacement of people, and displaced population often face several
challenges in new settlements, in this process poorer becomes more poor.
• Disaster increases the level of vulnerability and hence multiplies the effects of disaster.
Some Worst Disaster occurred in India
• Kashmir Floods (2014) affected Srinagar, Bandipur, Rajouri etc. areas of J&K have resulted
into death of more than 500 people.
• Uttarakhand Flash Floods (2013) affected Govindghat, Kedar Dome, Rudraprayag district
of Uttarakhand and resulted into death of more than 5,000 people.
• The Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004) affected parts of southern India and Andaman Nicobar
Islands, Sri Lanka, Indonesia etc., and resulted in the death of more than 2 lakh people.
• Gujarat Earthquake (2001) affected Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Kutch, Surat,
Surendranagar, Rajkot district, Jamnagar and Jodia districts of Gujarat and resulted in death
of more than 20,000 people.
• Odisha Super Cyclone or Paradip cyclone (1999) affected the coastal districts of Bhadrak,
Kendrapara, Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Ganjam etc., and resulted into death of more than
10,000 people.
• The Great Famine (1876-1878) affected Madras, Mysore, Hyderabad, and Bombay and
resulted into death of around 3 crore people. Even today, it is considered as one of the worst
natural calamities in India of all time.
• Coringa Cyclone (1839) that affected Coringa district of Andhra Pradesh and Calcutta Cyclone
(1737) are some other instances of natural calamities faced by the country in the past.
• The Bengal Famine in the years 1770 and 1943 affected Bengal, Odisha, Bihar very badly
and resulted into death of nearly 1 crore people.
• Bhopal Gas tragedy (December, 1984) is one of the worst chemical disasters globally that
resulted in over 10,000 losing their lives (the actual number remains disputed) and over 5.5
lakh persons affected and suffering from agonizing injuries.
In recent times, there have been cases of railway accidents, fire accidents in hospitals, coaching
centres due to negligence and non-implementation of existing mandatory fire safety norms, collapse
of various infrastructure constructs like flyovers, metro tracks and residential buildings due to poor
quality of construction, illegal addition of floors and recurring floods. Stampede at large public
gathering like KumbhMela caused by poor people management and lack of adequate infrastructure to
monitor and manage large crowd gathering.
57
9.5 Disaster Management
Disaster Management efforts are geared towards disaster risk management. Disaster Risk
Management implies the systematic process of using administrative decisions, organisation, operational
skills, and capacities to implement policies, strategies and coping capacities of the society and
communities to lessen the impact of natural hazards and related environmental and technological
disasters. These comprise all forms all activities including structural and non- structural measures to
avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) adverse effects of hazards.
There are three key stages of activities in disaster management:
Before a disaster: to reduce the potential for human, material, or environmental losses caused by
hazards and to ensure that these losses are minimised when disaster strikes;
During a disaster: to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met to alleviate and
minimise suffering; and
After a disaster: to achieve rapid and durable recovery which does not reproduce the original
vulnerable conditions.
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing
disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyse and reduce the causal factors of disasters.
Pre-Disaster risk reduction includes-
Mitigation: To eliminate or reduce the impacts and risks of hazards through proactive measures
taken before an emergency or disaster occurs.
Preparedness: To take steps to prepare and reduce the effects of disasters.
Post-Disaster risk reduction includes-
Rescue: Providing warning, evacuation, search, rescue, providing immediate assistance.
Relief: To respond to communities who become victims of disaster, providing relief measures such
as food packets, water, medicines, temporary accommodation, relief camps etc.
Recovery: This stage emphasises upon recovery of victims of disaster, recovery of damaged
infrastructure and repair of the damages caused.
Major challenges faced during disaster management:
• There are insufficient levels of implementation for each monitored activity. For example,
Disaster risk management plans or a risk sensitive building codes exist but they are not
enforced because of a lack of government capacity or public awareness.
• There is lack of local capacities to implement disaster risk management. Weak capacity at
the local levels undermines the implementation Disaster preparedness plans.
• Absence of integration of climate change into Disaster risk management plans.

58
 • There is divergence of obtaining political and economic commitments due to other competing
needs and priorities such as poverty reduction, social welfare, education etc. require greater
attention and funding.
• Due to poor coordination between stakeholders, there is inadequate access with respect to
risk assessment, monitoring, early warning, disaster response and other Disaster related
activities.
• Insufficient investment in building disaster resilient strategies, also private sector are least
contributors in the share of investment
9.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Classification of Disaster
b. Impact of Disasters
c. Disaster Management
9.7 Summary
Disaster is an unwelcome guest. It disrupts normal life and puts the developmental targets out
of gear. Disasters can result from natural or man-made causes or a combined effect of both. The
impact of disasters are felt more strongly when the affected community is more vulnerable, either in
terms of physical exposure or vulnerable socio-economic conditions. Therefore, disaster management
is a public administration issue, since disaster mitigation has to be achieved in time through public
policy. In line with postmodernism, sustainability of progress/ development is being accorded primacy,
currently. It could be termed as coming full circle in some ways. Thus development, as is the perception
now, in itself may not be sustainable if it runs counter to environmental concerns. Environmental
concerns are therefore gaining importance, since environmental factors are increasingly having the
adverse impact of the frequency and intensity of disastrous events. Sustainable development is being
considered largely in terms of sustainable city growth. More than rural development, it is urban
development that has to be stabilised/regulated through well-meaning/planned policies. Rural
development partakes by way of spin-off effects from public good externalities from nearby/
surrounding urban areas, as rightly pointed out in the Tenth Plan. Areas of concern are urban risks,
since the concentration of populations in urban areas is constantly increasing with inadequate
corresponding investment in safety measures. Disaster management needs to be seen in a developmental
context and pre-emptive action needs to be taken to reduce the impact of disasters.
9.8 Glossary
Environmental risks: Release of industrial effluents in rivers, green house gases in the atmosphere,
et al pose environmental risks like release of harmful chemicals in water bodies that harm aquatic
life, contaminate drinking water, disturb the PH balance of soil et al. Excess of Greenhouse gases
lead to global warming that is manifest and increasingly being talked about now.

59
Hazard: A precise definition of hazard is difficult. The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
(ISDR) has defined hazard as a potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human activity
that may cause loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental
degradation. Hazards have both natural and human components. For example, flood problems may
be exacerbated by fluctuations in climate, such as increased storm frequency, and also by certain
human activities, such as land drainage and deforestation.
Man-made disasters: Accidents, chemical spills nuclear disasters are manmade disasters since
they are caused by human activity.
Natural disasters: Floods, Cyclones, Earthquakes, etc. are natural disasters since they originate in
natural phenomenon/processes.
Urban risks: Risks created due to specific conditions in the urban environment are termed urban
risks. For example, threat of fire outbreaks, epidemics due to congestion and poor drainage in slums
are urban risks.
9.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.4 c. 1.5
9.10 Suggested Readings
GoI, Economic Survey, 2004-05, GoI, Tenth Plan, 2002-07, Chapter 7, “Disaster Management: The
Development Perspective”.
Second ARC, Third Report of Crisis Management
“South Asian Floods (SAF, 2005), Regional Cooperation for Flood Information Exchange in the
Hindukush -Himalayan Region”, at http://www.southasianfloods.org/members.php
Website of the National Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of
India at http:// www.ndmindia.nic.in
9.11 Terminal Questions
1. What is disaster and define its types?
2. Explain the impact of disaster on lives of people with some examples?

*****

60
 CHAPTER-10
Disaster Management Act, 2005

Structure
10.0 Learning Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Disaster Management Act 2005
10.3 Institutional Framework
10.4 Role of Government
10.5 Challenges in Implementation
10.6 Self-Check Exercise
10.7 Summary
10.8 Glossary
10.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
10.10 Suggested Reading
10.11 Terminal Questions
10.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Why need of Disaster Management Act
• Features of the Act
• Role of Centre and State government
• Implementation of the Act
10.1 Introduction
A disaster is not an event that would allow you to prepare yourself for it before its arrival.
Recovering from its aftermath can take weeks, months, years, and in some rare cases, decades. From
a volcano to a gas chamber leak, the range of disasters lurking in the environment is more than you
can count. However, that doesn’t mean that you would give up and accept defeat. As someone
rightfully said, “precaution is better than cure”, the only way to survive these disasters is to learn
how to manage them.
Disaster management can be defined as the organisation and management of resources and
responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness,
response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. The institutional arrangements for
disaster management in India can be understood through the various steps initiated in the country for
managing disasters effectively.

61
 Disaster management is a process of effectively preparing for and responding to disasters. It
involves strategically organizing resources to lessen the harm that disasters cause. It also involves a
systematic approach to managing the responsibilities of disaster prevention, preparedness, response,
and recovery.
10.2 Disaster Management Act, 2005
The DM Act was passed by the government of India in 2005 for the ‘efficient management of
disasters and other matters connected to it. However it came into force in January 2006. Objective is
to manage disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building and more.
Definition of a “disaster” in Section 2 (d) of the DM Act states that a disaster means a “catastrophe,
mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or man-made causes. The Act
extends to the whole of India. The Act provides for “the effective management of disasters and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. The Disaster Management Act, enacted in 2005,
has a new multidisciplinary focus on disaster prevention and risk reduction and a move away from a
relief-centric regime.
• The institutional framework under the Act mandated the creation of the NationalDisaster
Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster ManagementAuthorities (SDMAs) as
the bodies responsible for disaster preparednessand risk reduction at the respective levels.
• The Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs retainedresponsibility
for overall steering of the national disaster response.
• It mandated the concerned Ministries and Departments to draw up their ownplans in
accordance with the National Plan.
• The Act further contains the provisions for financial mechanisms such as thecreation of
funds for the response, National Disaster Mitigation Fund andsimilar funds at the state and
district levels.
10.3 Institutional Framework
Nodal Agency: The Act designates the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) as the nodal ministry for
steering the overall national disaster management. Institutional Structure wise it puts into place a
systematic structure of institutions at the national, state and district levels.
National Level Important Entities:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): It is tasked with laying down disaster
management policies and ensuring timely and effective response mechanisms.
The National Executive Committee (NEC): It is constituted under Section 8 of the DM Act to assist
the National Disaster Management Authority in the performance of its functions. The NEC is
responsible for the preparation of the National Disaster Management Plan for the whole country and
to ensure that it is “reviewed and updated annually.

62
The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): It is an institute for training and capacity
development programs for managing natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): It refers to trained professional units that are called
upon for specialized response to disasters
State and District level: The Act also provides for state and district level authorities responsible for,
among other things, drawing plans for implementation of national plans and preparing local plans.
• State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA): All State Governments are mandated under
Section 14 of the Act to establish a State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in their
States. The SDMA consists of the Chief Minister of the State as the Chairperson, and not
more than eight members appointed by the Chief Minister. State Executive Committee is
responsible (Section 22) for drawing up the State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP), and
implementing the National Plan. The SDMA is mandated under section 28 to ensure that all
the departments of the State prepare disaster management plans as prescribed by the National
and State Authorities.
• District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA): The Chairperson of District Disaster
Management Authority (DDMA) is the Collector or District Magistrate or Deputy
Commissioner of the district. The elected representative of the area is an ex officio co-
Chairperson.
Finance: It contains the provisions for financial mechanisms such as the creation of funds for
emergency response, National Disaster Response Fund and similar funds at the state and district
levels.
Civil and Criminal Liabilities: The Act also devotes several sections various civil and criminal
liabilities resulting from violation of provisions of the act. Under Section 51 of the Act, anyone
refusing to comply with orders is liable for punishment with imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or
both. In case this refusal leads to death of people, the person liable shall be punished with imprisonment
up to two years.
10.4 Role of Governments
The Central Ministries and Departments will take into consideration the recommendations of
the State Governments while deciding upon the various pre-disaster requirements and for deciding
upon the measures for the prevention and mitigation of disasters. It will ensure that the Central
Ministries and departments integrate measures for the prevention and mitigation of disasters into
their developmental plans and projects, make appropriate allocation of funds for pre-disaster
requirements and take necessary measures for preparedness and to effectively respond to any disaster
situation or disaster. It will have the power to issue directions to NEC, State Governments/SDMAs,
SECs or any of their officers or employees, to facilitate or assist in disaster management, and these
bodies and officials will be bound to comply with such directions.

63
Role of Central Ministries and Departments
As disaster management is a multi-disciplinary process, all Central Ministries and departments
will have a key role in the field of disaster management. The Secretaries of the Nodal Ministries and
Departments of Government of India, that is, the Ministries of Home Affairs (MHA). Agriculture,
Civil Aviation, Environment and Forests, Health, Atomic Energy, Space, Earth Sciences, Water
Resources, Mines, Railways, etc., are all members of the NEC and will continue to function as nodal
agencies for specific disasters based on their core competencies or as assigned to them.
National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) comprising high level officials of the
Government of India headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will continue to deal with major crises which
have serious ramifications. It will be supported by the Crisis Management Groups (CMG) of the
Central Nodal Ministries and assisted by NEC as may be necessary. The Secretary, NDMA, will be
a permanent invitee to this Committee.
State Governments
The primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the States. The institutional
mechanisms put in place at the Centre, State and District levels will help the States manage disasters
in an effective manner. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, mandates the State Governments, inter
alia, to take measures for preparation of state disaster management plans, integration of measures for
prevention of disasters or mitigation into state development plans, allocation of funds, establishment
of early warning systems and to assist the Central Government and other agencies in various aspects
of disaster management.
District Administration
At the District level, DDMAs will act as the planning, coordinating and implementing body
for disaster management and will take all measures for the purposes of disaster management in the
respective Districts in accordance with the Guidelines laid down by NDMA and the concerned
SDMA.
Armed Forces
Traditionally, the Armed Forces are called upon to assist the civil administration only when
the situation is beyond their coping capacity. In practice, however, theArmed Forces are immediate
responders in all serious disaster situations. As a result of their training, vast experience, risk taking
mentality, swiftness and enormous resources at their disposal, the Armed Forces have historically
played a major role in emergency support functions.
10.5 Challenges in the implementation
Absence of Disaster Prone Zones: One of the most glaring inadequacies in the Act is the
absence of a provision for declaration of ‘disaster- prone zones’. Almost all disaster related legislations
in the world have mapped out disaster- prone zones within their respective jurisdictions. The state
cannot be expected to play a pro- active role unless an area is declared ‘disaster- prone’. Classification
helps in determining the extent of damages as well.
64
Neglects Progressive Behaviour of Disasters: The Act portrays every disaster as a sudden
occurrence and completely fails to take into account that disasters can be progressive in nature as
well. In 2006, over 3,500 people were affected by dengue, a disease with a history of outbreaks in
India, yet no effective mechanism has been put in place to check such an ordeal. Tuberculosis is
known to kill thousands of people in the country each year but since its occurrence is not sudden or at
once, it has not found a place in the Act.
Overlapping Functions: The Act calls for establishment of multiple- national level bodies, the
functions of which seem to be overlapping, making coordination between them cumbersome.The
local authorities, who have a very valuable role to play in the wake of any disaster as first responders,
barely find a mention at all. There are no substantive provisions to guide them, merely a minor
reference to taking ‘necessary measures’.
Procedural Delays and Inadequate Technology: Added to that, delayed response, inappropriate
implementation of the plans and policies, and procedural lags plague the disaster management scheme
in India. Inadequate technological capacity for accurate prediction and measurement of the disaster
result in large scale damage.
Although the DM Act has undoubtedly filled a huge gap in the scheme of governmental actions
towards dealing with disasters. Laying down elaborate plans on paper doesn’t serve the purpose
unless they are translated into effective implementation. Civil society, private enterprises and Non-
governmental Organizations (NGOs) can play a valuable role towards building a safer India.
10.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Disaster Management Act 2005
b. Institutional Framework
c. Challenges in Implementation
10.7 Summary
There had been great loss of lives and property after major disasters like the Super Cyclone
in 1999 and the Earthquake in 2001. As a result of the large scale devastation, there were measures
initiated in India towards making institutional arrangement for disaster management. Major initiatives
such as the Disaster Management Act, Disaster Management Policy and agencies for disaster
management at the Central, State and District levels have been discussed at length in this Unit.
Success Stories such as the Indian government’s “zero casualty” policy for cyclones and the pinpoint
accuracy of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) early warning system has helped reduce
the possibility of deaths from cyclone Fani in Odisha. India’s policy of minimising fatalities from
cyclones has been proven by past performances as in cyclone Phailin in 2013, when famously the
casualty rate was kept to as low as 45 despite the intensity of the storm. In August 2010 during the
flash floods due to cloudburst in Leh in Ladakh region by the Indian Army. The Army’s immediate
search, rescue, and relief operations and mass casualty management effectively and efficiently mitigated
the impact of flash floods, and restored normal life.Disasters are no longer to be considered as
65
occurrences that are to be managed through emergency response services. So, there is a need to
foster a culture of prevention and identification of the key issues to be addressed especially in the
development process. The path ahead for managing disasters is to bring in a people-centred
development strategy.Educating people in Disaster Risk Reduction is the need of the hour and it can
be done through decentralised planning, implementation and monitoring and control.
10.8 Glossary
Development: The act or process of creating something over a period of time.
Disaster: Sudden event that causes a lot of damage.
Disaster Management Act, 2005: The Disaster Management Act, 2005, (23 December 2005) received
the assent of The President of India on 9 January 2006. The Act extends to the whole of India. The
Act provides for “the effective management of disasters and for matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto”.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The NDMA is responsible for “laying down
the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management” and to ensure “timely and effective
response to disaster”. It is responsible for laying “down guidelines to be followed by the State
Authorities in drawing up the State Plans”.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a
specialised force constituted “for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation
or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005: section 44-45. When ‘calamities of severe
nature’ occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected
state, including deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces,
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are
available and needed. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is under the National Disaster
Management Authority.
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM):The NIDM has been mandated by the
Government of India to be a deemed University and institute of excellence of higher learning and
capacity building. UGC has worked out with NIDM and developed a model curriculum for
strengthening disaster management in higher education and research.
Preparedness: Preparedness is explained as a state of readiness of the administrative apparatus to
respond to a disaster quickly and in a way that minimises the loss of life and property that could
accrue, implying, minimum time lag and maximum effectiveness
Vulnerability: Susceptibility to physical attack
10.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.5

66
10.10 Suggested Readings
Carter, W. Nick, 1991, Disaster Management: A Disaster Manager’s Handbook, Asian Development
Bank, Manila.
GoI, Tenth Plan, “Disaster Management”, 2002-07.
Gupta, Harsh K., 2003, Disaster Management, University Press, Hyderabad.
“The Twelfth Finance Commission Report”, Economic Survey, 2004-05
10.11 Terminal Questions
1. Explain briefly the features of Disaster Management Act 2005?
2. Describe the role of governments and challenges in implementation faced?

*****

67
 CHAPTER-11
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

Structure
11.0 Learning Objectives
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Sendai Framework 2015-2030
11.3 Expected Role of International Organization
11.4 Expected Role of Stakeholders
11.5 Suggestions for Implementation
11.6 Self-Check Exercise
11.7 Summary
11.8 Glossary
11.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
11.10 Suggested Reading
11.11 Terminal Questions
11.0 Learning Objectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Evolution of Sendai Framework
• Role of International Organisations
• Priorities of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Role of involved Stakeholders
11.1 Introduction
Disasters, whether from natural hazards or man-made, cost lives and livelihoods. The
immediate spending needed for response and reconstruction is compounded by a weakened economy,
damaged infrastructure, destroyed businesses, reduced tax revenues and a rise in poverty levels. The
poorer a community is, the more vulnerable it is to natural hazards and climate change. Disasters do
not have an equal effect on everyone. Children, women and girls, elderly people, persons with
disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized communities especially in lower-income
countries are often disproportionately affected by disasters. While we have witnessed substantial
progress, improving disaster preparedness at the same time as enabling better disaster prevention

68
and climate adaptation remain as key challenges for sustainable development. Mainstreaming disaster
risk management into development planning can reverse the current trend of rising disaster impact.
Furthermore, when countries rebuild stronger, faster, and more inclusively after disasters, they can
reduce the impact on people’s livelihoods and well-being by as much as 31%, potentially cutting
global average losses. To guide the multi hazard management of disaster risk in development at all
levels as well as within and across all sectors a global disaster risk reduction framework needed.
11.2 Sendai Framework 2015-2030
In 1994 the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction was held in Yokohama, Japan.
The conference adopted the Yokohama strategy and declared the decade 1990-2000 as the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the successor to the secretariat
of IDNDR and was created in 1999 to implement UN Disaster Risk Reduction strategy.
The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) is a 10-year plan (2005-2015) to make the world
safer from natural hazards. Priorities such as, Disaster risk reduction, identification, assessment
through legal and policy frameworks, disaster preparedness and use of innovation were adopted.The
World Conference on Disaster Reduction, held in the city of Kobe in the Hyogo region of Japan in
2005, brought the global disaster management community together once again to review the progress
on the Yokohama strategy, and to plan a framework of action for the subsequent ten years. The result
of the conference, the Hyogo Frameworkfor Action, highlighted the following action agenda for the
decade 2005-15:
• Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a stronginstitutional
basis for implementation
• Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning systems
• Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilienceat all
levels
• Reduce the underlying risk factors
• Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels
The process started by the Yokohama Strategy and the Hyogo Framework for Action is the
basis for a global shift in disaster management approach from response towards preparedness
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, is the successor instrument
to the Hyogo Framework.It is a non-binding agreement, which the signatory nations, including India,
will attempt to comply with on a voluntary basis.
There are three international agreements within the context of the post- 2015 development
agenda. These are:

69
 • The Sendai Framework.
• Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030
• The Paris agreement (COP 21) on Climate Change.
These three agreements recognize the desired outcomes in Disaster Risk Reduction as a
product of interconnected social and economic processes, which overlap across the agendas of the
three agreements.
The Seven Global Targets: To support the assessment of global progress in achieving the
outcome and goal of the present Framework, seven global targets have been agreed. These targets
will be measured at the global level. The seven global targets are:
Target 1 to reduce mortality: First target aim to substantially reduce global disaster mortality by
2030, with an aim to lower average per 100,000 global mortality rate in the decade 2020-2030
compared to the period 2005-2015.
Target 2 to reduce the number of affected people: Second target aim to reduce the number of affected
people globally by 2030, with target to lower the average global figure per 100,000 in the decade
2020 -2030 compared to the period 2005-2015.
Target 3 to reduce direct disaster economic loss: It target to reduce loss in global gross domestic
product (GDP) due to disaster by 2030.
Target 4 to substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic
services: This include reducing damage to health and educational facilities through developing their
resilience by 2030.
Target 5 to spread disaster risk efforts: It envisagetosubstantially increase the number of countries
with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
Target 6 to increase cooperation and support: It aim to enhance international cooperation to developing
countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for
implementation of this Framework by 2030.
Target 7 to increase accessibility: It target to substantially increase the availability and access to
multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by
2030.
There are four specific priority areas of Sendai Framework:
Understanding Disaster Risk: To promote the collection, analysis, management and use of relevant
data and practical information and ensure its dissemination, taking into account the needs of different
categories of users, as appropriate. To systematically evaluate, record, share and publicly account
for disaster losses and understand the economic, social, health, education, environmental and cultural
heritage impacts. To build the knowledge of government officials at all levels, civil society,
communities and volunteers, as well as the private sector, through sharing experiences, lessons
learned, good practices and training and education on disaster risk reduction. To ensure the use of
traditional, indigenous and local knowledge and practices, as appropriate, to complement scientific
70
knowledge in disaster risk assessment and the development and implementation of policies.To
promote and enhance, through international cooperation, including technology transfer, access to and
the sharing and use of non-sensitive data and information for supporting national measures for
successful disaster risk communication.
Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk: To carry out an assessment of
the technical, financial and administrative disaster risk management capacity to deal with the identified
risks at the local and national levels. To encourage the establishment of necessary mechanisms and
incentives to ensure high level of compliance with the existing safety-enhancing provisions of sectoral
laws and regulations, including those addressing land use and urban planning, building codes,
environmental and resource management and health and safety standards.To establish and strengthen
government coordination forums composed of relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels,
such as national and local platforms for disaster risk reduction, and a designated national focal point
for implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. To promote the
development of quality standards, such as certifications and awards for disaster risk management,
with the participation of the private sector, civil society, professional associations, scientific
organizations and the United Nations, including technology transfer, access to and the sharing and
use of non-sensitive data and information for supporting national measures for successful disaster
risk communication.
Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience: To allocate the necessary resources, including
finance and logistics, as appropriate, at all levels of administration for the development and the
implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies, policies, plans, laws and regulations in all
relevant sectors.To promote mechanisms for disaster risk transfer and insurance, risk-sharing and
retention and financial protection, as appropriate, for both public and private investment in order to
reduce the financial impact of disasters on Governments and societies, in urban and rural areas. To
promote the mainstreaming of disaster risk assessment, mapping and management into rural
development planning and management of, inter alia, mountains, rivers, coastal floodplain areas and
all other areas prone to droughts and flooding. To increase resilience of country’s critical
infrastructure.To strengthen and broaden international efforts aimed at eradicating hunger and poverty
through disaster risk reduction.
Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery,
rehabilitation and reconstruction: To establish community centres for the promotion of public
awareness and the stockpiling of necessary materials to implement rescue and relief activities. To
train the existing workforce and voluntary workers in disaster response and strengthen technical and
logistical capacities to ensure better response in emergencies.To promote the cooperation of diverse
institutions, multiple authorities and related stakeholders at all levels, including affected communities
and business, in view of the complex and costly nature of post-disaster reconstruction, under the
coordination of national authorities. To develop guidance for preparedness for disaster
reconstruction.To establish a mechanism of case registry and a database of mortality caused by
disaster in order to improve the prevention of morbidity and mortality.To enhance recovery schemes
to provide psychosocial support and mental health services for all people in need.

71
11.3 Expected Role of International Organization
The United Nations and other international and regional organizations, engaged in disaster
risk reduction are expected to enhance the coordination of their strategies in this regard.The entities
of the United Nations system through the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience,
UN Development Assistance Frameworks and country programmes need to promote the optimum use
of resources and to support developing countries, at their request, in the implementation of the
present Framework. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is expected to support
the implementation, follow-up and review of the present Framework.
International financial institutions, such as the World Bank and regional development banks
are expected to consider the priorities of the present Framework for providing financial support and
loans for integrated disaster risk reduction to developing countries.
The United Nations Global Compact, as the main United Nations initiative for engagement
with the private sector and business, needs to further engage with and promote the critical importance
of disaster risk reduction for sustainable development and resilience.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union and other relevant regional bodies and mechanisms for
parliamentarians, as appropriate, to continue supporting and advocating disaster risk reduction and
the strengthening of national legal frameworks.
The United Cities and Local Government organization and other relevant bodies of local
governments to continue supporting cooperation and mutual learning among local governments for
disaster risk reduction and the implementation of the present Framework.
11.4 Expected role of Stakeholders
Women and their participation is critical for effectively managing disaster risk and designing,
resourcing and implementing gender-sensitive disaster risk reduction policies, plans and programmes.
Children and youth are agents of change and should be given the space and modalities to contribute
to disaster risk reduction.
Older persons have years of knowledge, skills and wisdom, which are invaluable assets to reduce
disaster risk, and they should be included in the design of policies, plans and mechanisms, including
for early warning.
Indigenous peoples, through their experience and traditional knowledge, provide an important
contribution to the development and implementation of plans and mechanisms, including for early
warning.
Academia, scientific and research entities and networks need to focus on the disaster risk factors
and scenarios.
Business, professional associations and private sector financial institutions as well as philanthropic
foundations need to integrate disaster risk management into business models and practices through
disaster-risk-informed investments.
72
Media need to take an active and inclusive role at the local, national, regional and global levels in
contributing to the raising of public awareness and understanding and disseminate accurate and non-
sensitive disaster risk, hazard and disaster information, including on small-scale disasters.
11.5 Suggestions for the implementation
It is urgent to anticipate, plan for and reduce disaster risk in order to more effectively protect
persons, communities and countries.Enhanced work to reduce exposure and vulnerability, thus
preventing the creation of new disaster risks, and accountability for disaster risk creation are needed
at all levels.
It is necessary to continue strengthening good governance in disaster risk reduction strategies
at the national, regional and global levels and improving preparedness and national coordination for
disaster response, rehabilitation and reconstruction.Disaster risk reduction practices need to be
multi-hazard and multi sectoral, inclusive and accessible in order to be efficient and effective.
Developing countries need special attention and support to augment domestic resources and
capabilities through bilateral and multilateral channels in order to ensure adequate, sustainable, and
timely means of implementation in capacity-building i.e. financial and technical assistance in
accordance with international commitments.
As per the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,
held in 2012, entitled “The future we want”, the building of resilience to disasters needs to be
addressed with a renewed sense of urgency in the context of sustainable development and poverty
eradication and, as appropriate, to be integrated at all levels.
11.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Sendai Framework
b. International Organisation
c. Role of Stakeholders
11.7 Summary
As per the Sendai Framework, in order to reduce disaster risk, there is a need to address
existing challenges and prepare for future ones by focusing on monitoring, assessing, and understanding
disaster risk and sharing such information. The Sendai Framework notes that it is “urgent and critical
to anticipate, plan for and reduce disaster risk” to cope with disaster.Sendai framework stress on
shared responsibilityof each State, authority, sector and various stakeholders to prevent and reduce
disaster risk through international, regional and bilateral cooperation. It rightly emphasise that disaster
risk reduction requires an all-of-society engagement and partnership.
11.8 Glossary
Development: The act or process of creating something over a period of time.
Disaster: Sudden event that causes a lot of damage.
73
Man-made disasters: Accidents, chemical spills nuclear disasters are manmade disasters since
they are caused by human activity
Preparedness: Preparedness is explained as a state of readiness of the administrative apparatus to
respond to a disaster quickly and in a way that minimises the loss of life and property that could
accrue, implying, minimum time lag and maximum effectiveness
Vulnerability: Susceptibility to physical attack
11.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.4
11.10 Suggested Readings
Kelman, I. (2015). Climate change and the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction. International
Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 6, 117-127.
Pearson, L., &Pelling, M. (2015). The UN Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015–2030:
Negotiation process and prospects for science and practice. Journal of Extreme Events, 2(01),
1571001.
Sriram, D., Dorasamy, N., &Vipul, N. (2022). Disaster management in India: need for an integrated
approach. Disaster Advances; Vol. 15, Issue 8.
11.11 Terminal Questions
1. What is Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction 2015-2030?
2. Describe the role of International agencies and stakeholders involved?
*****

74
 CHAPTER-12
Management of Disasters in India with special reference to
COVID-19

Structure
12.0 Learning Objectives
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Stages in Disaster Management
12.3 Shift to Mitigation and Preparedness Planning in India
12.4 Covid-19 Management
12.5 Suggestions
12.6 Self-Check Exercise
12.7 Summary
12.8 Glossary
12.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
12.10 Suggested Reading
12.11 Terminal Questions
12.0 Learning Objectives
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• Stages in Disaster Management
• Shift in India Strategy
• About Covid-19 Management
• Challenges in management
12.1 Introduction
The concept of Disaster Management Cycle has entered disaster management efforts over the
past few years, especially since the Yokohama Conference (1994). Hitherto, disaster management
had been perceived as a short-term relief undertaking, which lasted till sometime after a disaster.
Other purposive activities undertaken in the pre or post-disaster stages on the part of civil society or
the government towards mitigating the impact of disasters or tackling long -term vulnerabilities and
dealing with newer threats in the wake/aftermath of a disaster were not included in disaster management
activities. They were rather classified, developmental activities or ‘social action’ on the part of
civil society actors(s), motivated by philanthropic concerns. The concept of Disaster Management
75
Cycle integrates isolated attempts on the part of different actors, government and non-government,
towards vulnerability reduction or disaster mitigation, within the enveloping domain of disaster
management, as phases occurring in different time periods in disaster management continuum, though
essentially relating to/comprising disaster management.This has facilitated a planned approach to
disaster management in that post- disaster recovery and pre -disaster mitigation planning are perceived
as integrated/related activities and not separate. Thus, prevention, mitigation and preparedness form
pre-disaster activities in the Disaster Management Cycle and, response, comprising relief, recovery
and rehabilitation are post-disaster activities. Whilst emergency relief and rehabilitation are vital
activities, successful disaster management planning must encompass the complete realm of activities
and situations that occur before, during and after disasters. These phases can best be represented as
a cycle, which if followed through public policy can obstruct future development of disasters by
impeding the vicious cycle of cause and effect. These activities are implemented at specific times,
the length of any one phase depending on the type of disaster, its breadth and scale. Therefore, one of
the key issues in disaster management planning is the allocation of resources at all stages of the
disaster cycle, which optimises the total effectiveness of risk reduction activity and maximises the
overall impact of disaster management
12.2 Stages in Disaster Management
Disaster Management efforts are geared towards disaster risk management. Disaster Risk
Management “implies the systematic process of using administrative decisions, organisation,
operational skills, and capacities to implement policies, strategies and coping capacities of the
society and communities to lessen the impact of natural hazards and related environmental and
technological disasters. These comprise all forms all activities including structural and non- structural
measures to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation and preparedness) adverse effects to hazards”
(UNISDR, 2004).
There are three key stages of activities in disaster management:
• Before a disaster: to reduce the potential for human, material, or environmental losses caused
by hazards and to ensure that these losses are minimised when disaster strikes;
• During a disaster: to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met to alleviate and
minimise suffering; and
• After a disaster: to achieve rapid and durable recovery which does not reproduce the original
vulnerable conditions
Common perception of disaster management, as explained earlier, is limited to emergency
relief and post- disaster rehabilitation. This is so because these two elements are by far the strongest
in terms of high profile visibility, political support and funding provision. Instead of allocating funds
before an event to reduce future disasters, action normally only takes place after an event has occurred.
The situation is similar to that of preventive health care where curative medicine is relatively well
funded whilst preventive medicine is not.

76
 The focus on emergency relief also depends on risk perception; that is, whether there is
belief that disaster could be avoided. If disasters were believed to be of such a scale that it is
believed, nothing could be done to reduce either the phenomenon or the risk involved, and risk
mitigation would not be pressed for/attempted. However, once belief develops that disaster losses
are exacerbated by human agency, and could be curbed thereby, disaster risk mitigation would be
attempted.
12.3 Response Mechanisms in India
In India, there is integrated administrative machinery for management of disasters at the
National, State, District and sub-District levels. The primary responsibility of undertakingrescue,
relief and rehabilitation measures is that of the State governments. The Central government supplements
the efforts of the state governments by way of physical and financial resources, if need arises. The
extent/necessity of Central response/assistance depends on the severity and scale of the calamity and
the requirements of Central assistance for augmenting the financial resources at the disposal of the
State Government. The effort is more in the nature of support to the state governments. Drawing from
the Ministry of Home Affairs’, official document, “National Policy”, Union government’s response
could be in two ways:
• Policy Response, provided by the Prime Minister, Cabinet Committees, and the Home Affairs
and/or Agriculture Minister; and
• Administrative Response
The Central response can be:
i) Policy response, keeping in view the short and long term policy objectives of the government
ii) Administrative response, broadly relating to:
a) Operational requirements
b) Provision of Central assistance as per existing policy.
Central initiatives are in the form of:
i) Visits of the calamity affected areas by President, Prime Minister and other dignitaries;
ii) Activating the administrative machinery for assisting in relief measures; and
iii)Setting up machinery for implementing, reviewing and monitoring of relief measures.
The operational aspects of the administrative response could, further, be classified into:
i) Primary relief functions, and
ii) Secondary relief functions.
The primary relief functions of the Central Government relate to:
i) Forecasting and operation of warning system
ii) Maintenance of uninterrupted communication

77
 iii) Wide publicity to warnings of impending calamity, disaster preparedness and relief measures
through TV, AIR and Newspapers
iv) Transport with particular reference to evacuation and movement of essential commodities
and petroleum products
v) Ensuring availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices particularly the
commodities through the Public Distribution System
vi) Ensuring availability of medicines, vaccine and drugs
vii) Preservation and restoration of physical communication links
viii) Investments in infrastructure; and
ix) Mobilisation of financial resources.
The secondary functions of the Central Government which supplement the States relief efforts,
would relate to:
i) Flood/inflow forecasts from the Central Water Commission
ii) Relief, rehabilitation and restoration through military aid to civil authorities
iii) Contingency plans for crops, cattle preservation nutrition and health measures
iv) Technical and technological inputs for provision of drinking water
v) Technical assistance in the water budgeting and water management for various uses; and
Coordination of the activities of the State agencies and voluntary agencies.
Energising Local Government Since, efforts at controlling disasters are concentrated at the
local level, and much depends on the initiative at that level, particularly by local people,
institutionalising inherentsocial capital in panchayat raj institutions and local volunteer groups (civil
society) inter se could strengthen administrative preparedness for disaster response. Following the
73rdand 74th constitutional amendments, development planning at the local level is expected to
incorporate disaster mitigation, which would make planning and implementation for/of the same
more targeted and cost-effective. Efforts would be made to organise civil society activity to make it
operate in tandem with the state apparatus under the aegis of the local institutions of self-government
(Tenth Plan). Civil society actors at the local level are now proposed to be trained through mainstream
administrative organisations like the Police, for better, more educated effort in various aspects of
disaster management. As articulated in the Tenth Plan, their participation would be better
institutionalised in close cooperation with government agencies. Presently, as evidenced during the
recent Muzaffarabad quake, and also cited earlier, effort is a little scattered in that it is ill-organised
and inconsistent. Efforts are in order through state initiative for better organisation of effort on the
part of these agencies.

78
Stakeholder Involvement
Apart from national, state, district and local levels, there are various institutional stakeholders,
who are involved in disaster management at various levels in the country. These include the police
and paramilitary forces, civil defence and home guards, fire services, ex-servicemen, non-government
organisations, public and private sector enterprises and the media, all of who have important roles
to play. The Government of India GoI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme envisages active
association and involvement of all stakeholders in various disaster prevention, mitigation and
preparedness measures. Recognising the potential of the private corporate sector in contributing to
disaster management, it envisages, sensitisation, training, and co-option of the private corporate
sector and their nodal bodies and organisations in disaster planning process and response mechanisms.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has outlined areas for substantial involvement of the corporate sector;
some of the more pertinent of which are:
• Organization of sensitization programmes for building the knowledge, attitude and skills of
the industries in adopting and implementing disaster risk reduction measures to make the
industrial structures and infrastructures, disasters resistant.
• Development of onsite and offsite disaster management (DM) plans by the industries. The
process of developing DM plans is being explained to the industries during sensitization
programmes.
• Training of industrial personnel in various facets of disaster management and response;viz.
first aid, search and rescue, evacuation, etc.
The objectives of the work plan area to mainstream private sector participation in disaster
management; create linkages between the community and the private corporate sector to strengthen/
facilitate cooperation between some of the major stakeholders in disaster management (that is, the
corporate sector, local authorities and the community).
12.4 Covid-19 Management
COVID-19 has impacted nations across the world, disrupting lives, economies, and societies.
The pandemic has significantly redefined the humanitarian emergency paradigm and changed the
understanding of disaster management in several ways. India, like the rest of the world, is in the
midst of the pandemic. Every nation embroiled in the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic has
adopted different legal instruments at their disposal to cope up with such an unprecedented crisis. To
combat the spread of the virus, India has invokedthe Disaster Management Act of 2005 as the
overarching legal tool along with the Epidemic Act of 1897.
Accordingly, India has declared the pandemic as a ‘notified disaster’. India is one of the
most populous countries in the world with a relatively fragile health infrastructure.COVID-19 is the
first pan India biological disaster being handled by the legal and constitutional institutions of the
country. The lockdown imposed was under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act). The
legislative intent of the DM Act was to, “provide for the effective management of disasters”. Though

79
the Constitution of India is silent on the subject of ‘disaster’, the legal basis of the DM Act, is Entry
23, Concurrent List of the Constitution “Social security and social insurance”. Entry 29, Concurrent
List “Prevention of the extension from one State to another of infectious or contagious diseases or
pests affecting men, animals or plants,” can also be used for specific law making.
COVID-19 has changed the perspective for disaster management?
Not geographically contained: The crisis is not limited by a geographic area or a cluster or physically
defined areas in which the disaster occurred — as in an earthquake, flood, or cyclone.
Microscopic effects: Effects of the disaster are so microscopic and invisible that one can easily
underestimate its virulence or potency, as it happened in the early days of the pandemic.
Earlier epidemics like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and those due to bird flu and
Ebola had a relatively lower geographical influence, but the speed of transmission and virulence of
COVID-19 has posed an entirely new challenge.
In countries like India, high population densities, coupled with the impossibility of physical distancing
in small housing units, lack of running water and toilets, shortage of hygiene materials, and personal
protective equipment have exacerbated the infection rates. Treating a health crisis as a ‘disaster’ has
some deep-rooted definitional as well as instrumental ramifications shaping India’s response to the
pandemic.
Externalisation of the disease: It has led to the ‘externalization’ of the disease. A disaster is usually
perceived to be caused due to a force that is alien to our lives and usually intrudes into our internal
space to create havoc.
Repression as Regulation: Another outcome of labelling this health pandemic as a disaster has been
the normalization of the controlling measures by the state in order to curb the spread of the virus.
The Indian Government first issued a circular concerning the outbreak of COVID-19 and necessary
measures to contain it in March 2020. Further advisory from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
comprises extension of the following containment measures.
• Mandatorily covering one’s face in public places, transport vehicles, and workplaces.
• Maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet among customers in shops, workers, and
individuals in public places.
• Practising work from home (WFH) as far as possible.
• Following modified business or working hours in commercial and industrial organisations,
shops, workplaces, and markets, to contain the disease’s spread.
• Sanitising entire workplace frequently, especially areas that commonly come into human
contact, such as door handles.
• Ensuring provisions for sanitizers, hand wash, and thermal screening in common areas, and
entry and exit points.
80
 Additionally, the authorities undertook the following steps to bring down COVID-19 cases:
• Tracking all RT-PCR tests and subsequent COVID-positive individuals real-time via contact
number.
• Following MoHFW and ICMR guidelines while conducting tests and ensuring all co-morbid
individuals are tested.
• Tracing all international passengers via the “AIR SUVIDHA” website that DSOs and SSOs
have access to.
• Reducing mob capacity in large gatherings, such as that in workplaces, transport vehicles,
rallies, funerals, marriages, and other social events.
• Implementing night curfew and updating status of “Buffer Zones” and “Containment Zones”
real-time based on new COVID-positive cases.
• Accelerating complete vaccination among the remaining population and enhancing doorstep
vaccination campaign.
• The increasing availability of medical equipments, such as oxygen, ambulances, necessary
drugs by utilising the Centre’s ECRP-II funds, and enhancing bed capacity.
• Enforcing home isolation and curtailing circulation of misinformation.
Hence, it can be seen that the COVID management in India has been both clear and rigorous. The
rules were laid out so that health care professionals knew what the course of treatment ought to be.
12.5 Suggestions
• Collaboration: There is a need for strengthening collaboration, command, control, and
communication systems for efficient, prompt, and graded response and recovery.
• Infusing technology: Technology cannot replace or make up for other public policy measures,
but it does have an increasingly critical role to play in emergency responses. Covid-19
presents an excellent opportunity to reflect on the legal plausibility, ethical soundness, and
effectiveness to use emerging technologies to inform evidence-based public health
interventions.
• Strong technology infrastructure: Access to a robust, resilient, and secure ICT infrastructure
worldwide is critical in a pandemic, and any kind of disaster.
• Community-based public health emergency preparedness: There is a need for prioritizing
the COVID-19 prevention and control in informal settlements, to assess the community risk
perception, and thought process to enable community-based public health emergency
preparedness and risk-informed policymaking in the future.
• Multi-hazard preparedness: Multi-hazard preparedness with a focus on the health needs to
be integrated across sectors. Risk assessments and risk preparedness should emerge as a
culture for the next generations to enable better management of disasters and public health
emergencies.
81
 • Responsible administration: Good governance, responsive administration, and active
coordination should be non-negotiable features of a dynamic process that is driven by
transparency and accountability on the part of public officials.
• Advanced preparedness strategies: Documentation of best practices, creating a knowledge
platform for lessons-learning will promote inclusive, participatory, and well-informed
preparedness strategies.
12.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Stages of Disaster Management
b. Mitigation and Preparedness
c. COVID-19 Management
12.7 Summary
India faced a clear danger from the spreading of COVID-19. The central, state, and local
governments synchronized their actions to identify and isolate potential cases as in the case of the
Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. Key institutions identified as resource centres and to act as nodal
points for contact tracing, testing, communications, and case management. Special focus laid on
point of entry screening. The use of technology like the Chinese example, but without authoritarian
measures, helped immenslyin the fight against the virus.Further, in the long-term perspective, a well-
researched pandemic/epidemic management strategy delineating the roles of different authorities
and action points at various stages needs to be formulated.
12.8 Glossary
Hazard: Hazard is a phenomenon that poses a threat to people, structures or economic assets and
which may cause a disaster. It could be either manmade or naturally occurring in our environment.
Threat: Threat is different from Risk.Threat is a more general concept, while Risk is specific in that
a threat, such as terrorism, has to be broken down into specific risks and communicated to policy
makers for policy in this regard, mitigation or preparedness. Threat is simply an apprehension,
which will not give policy guidelines.
Prevention: Disaster Prevention entails measures to pre-empt a disaster by controlling a potentially
threatening hazard. For example, water harvesting can prevent droughts. To that end, it entails advance
planning to forestall a disaster.
12.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.4

82
12.10 Suggested Readings
Behera, B. C. (2021). Challenges in handling COVID-19 waste and its management mechanism: A
Review. Environmental nanotechnology, monitoring & management, 15, 100432.
Kumar, V. M., Pandi-Perumal, S. R., Trakht, I., &Thyagarajan, S. P. (2021). Strategy for COVID-19
vaccination in India: the country with the second highest population and number of cases. npj Vaccines,
6(1), 60.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelineson
ClinicalManagementofCOVID1912020.pdf.
12.11 Terminal Questions
1. What are the general stages in disaster management?
2. Describe the role of Indian Governments in the management of Covid-19 pandemic?

*****

83
 CHAPTER-13
E-Governance Initiatives in Indian Administration

Structure
13.0 LearningObjectives
13.1 Introduction
13.2 What is E-Governance
13.3 Evolution of E-Governance in India
13.4 Initiatives in Indian Administration
13.5 Lacunae’s in Implementation
13.6 Self-Check Exercise
13.7 Summary
13.8 Glossary
13.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
13.10 Suggested Reading
13.11 Terminal Questions
13.0 LearningObjectives:
Aftergoingthroughthislessonthestudentswillbeabletoknow
• E-governance evolution
• Initiatives in Indian Administration
• Features of E-Governance
• Help in Citizen Centric Administration
13.1 Introduction
Rapid strides made in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have
facilitated the reinvention of governments and prepared them to serve the needs of a diverse society.
In other words, the information age has redefined the fundamentals and transformed the institutions
and mechanisms of service delivery forever. The vision is the articulation of a desire to transform
the way government functions and the way it relates to its constituents. The concept of electronic
governance, popularly called e-governance, is derived from this concern. Democracies in the world
share a vision of the day when e-governance will become a way of life.India has been at the forefront
of the IT revolution and has had its effect on the public administration systems, as we would see later
in this Unit. In fact, if the potential of ICTs are harnessed properly, it has a lot of opportunities,
especially, in the social and economic growth of the developing world.
84
 Global shifts towards increased deployment of IT by governments emerged in the nineties,
with the advent of the World Wide Web. What this powerful means to publish multimedia, support
hyperlinked information and interactive information meant was a clearer avenue for G to C interactions
and the promise of the attainment of the goals of good governance. Governments weighed down by
the rising expectations and demands of a highly aware citizenry suddenly began to believe that there
can be a new definition of public governance characterized by enhanced efficiency, transparency,
accountability and a citizen-orientation in the adoption of IT enabled governance.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is then about use of technology in
information processing and communication. In particular, it deals with the use of electronic computers
and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information. ICT
may be discussed in terms of all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals,
businesses and organizations use information. ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal
computers, radio, ham, telephone,broadband, digital television, email, robots etc. are all equipment,
which can be classified as ICTs. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses
can work together with each other.
13.2 What is E-Governance
E-governance is the application of ICT to the processes of government functioning for good
governance. In other words, e-governance is the public sector’s use of ICTs with the aim to improve
information and service delivery, encourage citizen participation in decision-making and make
government more accountable, transparent and efficient. The Ministry of Information and Technology
states that e-governance goes far beyond mere computerisation of standalone back office operations.
It implies fundamental changes in government operations; and new set of responsibilities for the
legislature, executive, judiciary and citizens.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General, UK, e-governance means providing public
access to information via the internet by government departments and their agencies.So in essence,
e-governance is the application of ICT in government functioning to bring in SMART governance
implying: simple, moral, accountable, responsive and transparent.
Simple meaning simplification of rules, regulations and processes of government through the use of
ICTs and thereby providing for a user-friendly government
Moral connoting emergence of an entirely new system of ethical values in the political and
administrative machinery.Technology interventions improve the efficiency of anti-corruption agencies,
police, and judiciary.
Accountablefacilitating design, development and implementation of effective Management Information
System and performance measurement mechanisms and thereby ensuring accountability of public
service functionaries.
Responsive streamlining the processes to speed up service delivery.

85
Transparentbringing information hitherto confined in the government documents to the public domain
and making processes and functions transparent, which in turn would bring equity and rule of law in
responses of the administrative agencies.
There are 4 kinds of interactions in e-governance:
G2C (Government to Citizens): Interaction between the government and the citizens.This enables
citizens to benefit from the efficient delivery of a large range of public services. Expands the
accessibility and availability of government services and also improves the quality of services.The
primary aim is to make the government citizen-friendly.
G2B (Government to Business): It enables the business community to interact with the government
by using e-governance tools. The objective is to cut red-tapism which will save time and reduce
operational costs. This will also create a more transparent business environment when dealing with
the government. The G2B initiatives help in services such as licensing, procurement, permits and
revenue collection.
G2G (Government to Government): Enables seamless interaction between various government
entities. This kind of interaction can be between various departments and agencies within government
or between two governments like the union and state governments or between state governments. The
primary aim is to increase efficiency, performance and output.
G2E (Government to Employees): This kind of interaction is between the government and its
employees. ICT tools help in making these interactions fast and efficient and thus increases the
satisfaction levels of employees.
13.3 Evolution of E-Governance in India
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.
Initial steps taken:
• The first step towards electronics governance in India was marked by the formation of the
Department of Electronics in 1970.
• With the motive to computerise all district offices in the country, the District Information
System program was launched by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) which was established
in 1977.
• The launch of NICNET the national satellite-based computer network in 1987 provided the
push for e-governance.
• There was a setting up of a National Task Force on Information Technology and Software
Development in 1998.
• The creation of the Ministry of Information Technology happened at the Centre in 1999.

86
 • The National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) was set-up at Hyderabad in the year
2002.
• A National Policy on Open Standards for e-Governance was notified in November 2010.
• The National Policy on Information Technology (NPIT) was approved in 2012.
Stages of E-Governance: United Nations E-Readiness Survey defined below mentioned stages of
E-governance:
Emerging Presence: The focus in this stage is at the online presence of basic & limited information
which contains an official website along with a few web pages. There is not much clarity on the
availability of the links to various ministries and departments.
Enhanced Presence: The public information like reports, newsletters, laws and policies is shared
largely by the Government and it is also possible for the users to navigate within the records. The
only limitation that lies is that of one-way communication as the information transfer is only from
Government to citizens and not the other way round.
Interactive Presence: This marks the introduction of interactivity in the Government websites in
the form of making downloadable forms available & applications for payment of bills, taxes, and
licence renewal.
Transactional Presence: The provisions such as applying for ID cards, licence renewals, birth
certificates, passports, and allowing the citizen to submit forms and applications online in a never-
ending manner makes the ideal functioning of twoway interaction between the Government and
citizens very much possible.
Networked Presence: It is interpreted by an amalgamation of G2C, G2G, and G2B interactions.
The citizen participation is encouraged to realise online participatory decision-making with the
Government which helps in establishing a two-way open dialogue within the society.
E-Governance four stage evolution:
Computerization: Personal computers were available in many government offices. Many departments
of government started using personal computers and programmes like word processing, data
processing, etc.
Networking: In this stage, many government offices were interconnected through a network. This
facilitated the inter-departmental network for information sharing and flow of data.
Online presence: With the increasing network capabilities of government offices, the need was felt
to have an online presence of government departments. Websites of government departments came
into existence. These websites provided basic information to the citizens such as reports, surveys,
schemes, etc.
Online interactivity: The two-way communication was established in this stage where people could
send their feedback to the government through an online portal. This changed the role of citizens
merely from the recipient of services to the active involvement of citizens in governance.
87
Different Connotations of e-Governance
E-Administration: The use of ICTs to modernize the state; the creation of data repositories for
Management Information System (MIS) and computerization of records (land, health etc.).
E-Services: The emphasis here is to bring the state closer to the citizens. For Examples: Provision
of online services.
E-administration and e-services together constitute what is largely termed as e-government.
E-Governance: The use of IT to improve the ability of the government to address the needs of
society. It includes the publishing of policy and program-related information to transact with citizens.
It extends beyond the provision of online services and covers the use of IT for strategic planning and
reaching the development goals of the government.
E-Democracy: The use of IT to facilitate the ability of all sections of society to participate in the
governance of the state. Emphasis is on bringing transparency, accountability, and participation of
people. It includes online disclosures of policies, online grievance redressal, e-referendums etc.
13.4 Initiatives in Indian Administration
Bhoomi Project (Karnataka): Online Delivery of Land Records Bhoomi is a self-sustainable e-
Governance project for the computerized delivery of 20 million rural land records to 6.7 million
farmers of Karnataka.
Khajane (Karnataka): End-to-end automation of Government Treasury System ‘Government-to-
Government (G2G) e-Governance initiative of the Karnataka State Government. It has been
implemented mainly to eliminate systemic deficiencies in the manual treasury system and for the
efficient management of state finances.
E-Seva (Andhra Pradesh): designed to provide ‘Government to Citizen’ and ‘e-Business to Citizen’
services. All the services are delivered online to consumers /citizens by connecting them to the
respective government departments and providing online information at the point of service delivery.
The project has become very popular among the citizens especially for the payment of utility bills.
E-Courts Launched by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. The Mission Mode
Project (MMP) aims at utilizing technology for improved provisioning of judicial services to citizens.
E-District Launched by the Department of Information Technology. The MMP aims at delivery of
high volume, citizen-centric services at the District level such as the issue of birth/death certificate,
income and caste certificates, old age and widow pension, etc.
MCA21 launched by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The project aims to provide electronic
services to the Companies registered under the Companies Act. Various online facilities offered
includes allocation and change of name, incorporation, online payment of registration charges, change
in address of registered office, viewing of public records and other related services.
E-Office Launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances. The MMP
aims at significantly improving the operational efficiency of the Government by transitioning to a
“Less Paper Office”.
88
MyGov: It aims to establish a link between Government and Citizens towards meeting the goal of
good governance. It encourages citizens as well as people abroad to participate in various activities
i.e. ‘Do’, ‘Discuss’, ‘Poll’, ‘Talk’, ‘Blog’, etc.
DigiLocker: It serves as a platform to enable citizens to securely store and share their documents
with service providers who can directly access them electronically.
E-Hospital-Online Registration Framework (ORF): It is an initiative to facilitate the patients to take
online OPD appointments with government hospitals. This framework also covers patient care,
laboratory services and medical record management.
National Scholarships Portal (NSP): It provides a centralized platform for application and
disbursement of scholarship to students under any scholarship scheme.
DARPAN: It is an online tool that can be used to monitor and analyze the implementation of critical
and high priority projects of the State. It facilitates presentation of real time data on Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs) of selected schemes/projects to the senior functionaries of the State Government
as well as district administration.
PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation): It has been aimed at starting a
culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It is also a robust system for bringing
e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.
It was launched in 2015.
Common Services Centres 2.0 (CSC 2.0): It is being implemented to develop and provide support
to the use of information technology in rural areas of the country. The CSCs are Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) enabled kiosks with broadband connectivity to provide various
Governments, private and social services at the doorstep of the citizen.
Mobile Seva: It provides government services to the people through mobile phones and tablets.
JeevanPramaan: It is an Aadhaar based Biometric Authentication System for Pensioners. The system
provides authenticity to Digital Life Certificate without the necessity of the pensioner being present
in person before his/ her Pension Dispensing Authority (PDA).
National Centre of Geo-informatics (NCoG): Under this project, Geographic Information System
(GIS) platform for sharing, collaboration, location based analytics and decision support system for
Departments has been developed.
National e-Governance Plan (NeGP): It takes a holistic view of e-Governance initiatives across
the country, integrating them into a collective vision and a shared cause. It comprises of 31 Mission
Mode Projects, approved in 2006, but later it was integrated into Digital India Program.
13.5 Lacunae’s in Implementation
Infrastructure: Lack of basic infrastructural facilities like electricity, internet, etc. Initiatives like
BharatNet and Saubhagya are steps taken in this regard.

89
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, and then only the benefits of e-governance would be utilized equally.
13.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. E-Governance
b. Evolution of E-Governance
c. Initiatives in Indian Administration
13.7 Summary
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. 2nd ARC has also recommended that the state should create suitable
opportunities for e-governance initiatives, public-private partnerships, re-engineering of the
governance mechanisms and skill development for creating, maintaining, and monitoring to ensure
the best outcomes. Former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam defined e-Governance in the
Indian context as transparent smart Governance with seamless access, secure and authentic flow of
information crossing the interdepartmental barrier and providing a fair and unbiased service to the
citizen.
13.8 Glossary
E- governance: use of technology to enhance the access to and delivery of government services to
benefit citizens, business partners and employees.
ICTs: are the information and communication technologies such as, radio, computers, Internet,
Intranet, Websites, and satellites; providing database, knowledge database, expert systems, Geographic
Information System, Management Information System, video and audio teleconferencing.
National E-governance Plan: seeks to implement 25 Mission Mode Projects at the Centre, State
and integrated service levels so as to create a citizen-centric and business-centric environment for
governance, create governance and institutional mechanisms, set up core infrastructure, formulate
key policies and channelise private sector technical and financial resources into the national e-
governance efforts.

90
13.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.4
13.10 Suggested Readings
Annual Report, 2004-05, Department of Information Technology, Government of India.
Dror, Y., 1990, Democratic Reformcraft, Working Paper, European Institute of Public Administration,
Maastricht, Netherlands.
Planning Commission of India, 2001, Report of the Working Group on Convergence and E-governance
2002-07 for Tenth Five-Year Plan.
Saxena, K. B. C. (2005). Towards excellence in e governance. International Journal of Public Sector
Management, 18(6), 498-513.
13.11 Terminal Questions
1. What is E-Governance and how it evolved in India?
2. Write some of the e- governance initiatives in Indian Administration?

*****

91
 CHAPTER-14
E-Governance Issues Challenges and Strategies

Structure
14.0 Learning Objectives
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Priorities in e-governance implementation
14.3 Advantages of E-Governance
14.4 Issues and Challenges
14.5 Suggestion
14.6 Self-Check Exercise
14.7 Summary
14.8 Glossary
14.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
14.10 Suggested Reading
14.11 Terminal Questions
14.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• E-governance implementation strategies
• Issues and Challenges in E-Governance
• Future Suggestions for effective implementation.
14.1 Introduction
Technology is transforming governments, especially, in the performance of their functions.
This is the sole reason for governments all over the world embracing technology and becoming
electronically viable. ICT enables and facilitates good governance agenda of transparency,
accountability, empowerment, decentralisation and fiscal reforms. It is this agenda that governments
of today are aspiring to achieve. Governments are using ICTs in restructuring their traditional
organisational set up, re-engineering the work processes, interacting with citizens and stakeholders,
rendering services and information, and efficient human resources management, financial management
and decision-making.

92
 Hence, ICTs are playing a significant role in enabling governments to pursue the agenda of
good governance. However, skilled manpower, ICT infrastructure, ICT architecture, resources,
political leadership, committed bureaucracy, and citizen awareness are required to enable ICTs to
perform this role. But lack of human resources, organisational and technological infrastructure, etc.
has posed hindrances to the effective implementation of ICT in governance. This has resulted in its
minimal use. Many of the ICT-based projects have, therefore, resulted in wasteful expenditure and
ineffective service delivery. The challenge is to overcome these hindrances and provide for an
optimal exploitation of ICT in governance.
In this Unit, we are going to discuss the issues that pose a challenge to the optimal use and
implementation of ICT in governance. We will also be dealing with measures, which help in addressing
these issues and challenges effectively. However, for information of our students, we have used the
words ‘e-governance’, ‘e-government’ and ‘ICT-based projects’ interchangeably, even though they
mean different and are distinct.
14.2 Priorities in E-governance implementation
We suffer from the lack of clear vision and priorities when it comes to e-governance. In the
words of Anathakrishnan, ‘in the absence of a national mission to evolve technical standards and
share resources, citizens have ended up funding costly piecemeal programmes with few tangible
results. There is no consensus on interoperable standards that will enable exchange of data, no
sharing of best practices and no realistic vision on how to effect change.’ Our vision is not broad and
does not involve the interests of various groups in the society. Vision for e-governance should
emanate from societal concerns of multi-stakeholders.
These concerns will become the bases for drawing up and designing the priority areas for e-
governance. E-government plan/project should be open and collaborative based on multi-stakeholders’
participation. Public meetings, opinion polls, participation in committees, etc. should be the basis of
drawing the vision and securing vital inputs of different sectors.
Re-engineering: E-government applications should be preceded with re-engineering of the
administrative processes in the government departments or organisations. Most often, e-government
applications are implemented in a ‘quick time frame’ without adequate re-engineering of the existing
organisational structure and work procedures. If ICT has to enable efficiency in governmental
functioning, it is necessary that the departments carry out a rearrangement and reorganisation of their
administrative structure and work processes. If e-government application is implemented without
re-engineering, it becomes difficult to make subsequent changes in the work processes once the e-
government application is implemented. Hence e-government may not work and the resources may
get wasted. Therefore, the complex work processes and procedures have to be simplified before
initiating ICT projects or programmes.
Citizen-Centeredness: E-governance projects must be citizen-centric. Such projects should provide
for improved service delivery, public participation, accessibility to comprehensive and qualitative
information, and improved quality of life for large number of citizens. They should focus on how
93
citizens use and process increasing amounts of information in their everyday life. Websites should be
designed to give complete information so that an individual may not have to follow up it with a visit
or call. Projects facilitating citizen services should be based on the needs of the people and how they
can be best delivered electronically. This will enable projects to address to specific needs of identified
communities and gain public trust and wider usability.
Communication Strategy: The benefits of e-government projects must be properly communicated
to the beneficiaries through an effective communication strategy using media. This has to be taken
into account most significantly, as the best use of projects can be made possible when it reaches the
larger target groups or clientele. Usually, people are not aware of the same and/or are not even
mobilised. E-government projects usually fail to become an additional channel to deliver services
owing to a limited proportion of citizens using them. Without a critical mass using the e-government
applications, the cost recovery does not seem promising. Public should be made aware of the changes
and benefits that eprojects and programmes can accrue for them. Equally, the government should also
explain the reasons when benchmarks are not met.
Political Will and Leadership is a needed for initiation, successful implementation and sustenance
of e-government programmes and projects. Political support and commitment to ICT projects can
really bring in the desired change in governance. Political leaders need to have the will, resolve and
leadership to take on risks, overcome resistance, secure funds and publicly subscribe, uphold and
support e-government. Rather, the political leaders must be made e-literate that can help them to
understand the benefits accruing of such projects, and motivate them to employ ICT in their departments
and deliver effective public services to the people.
Resistance to Change: The fast and smooth implementation of e-government gets hampered by the
officials’ resistance to it. If the government is to excel in a corporate way, officials’ readiness to
bring about this corporate culture within government is essential. ‘The level of resistance to change
and level of involvement by officials in setting policies and practices will greatly impact how fast or
smooth the implementation of e-government will be’ (Working Group). Bureaucracy, that is, officials
and employees at all levels, resist to egovernment initiatives due to reasons, such as fear of losing
jobs, losing power, unfamiliarity with technology, increased work, losing unofficial payments, having
no monetary and professional gains, etc.
14.3 Advantages of E-Governance
Speed: Technology makes communication speedier. Internet, Phones, Cell Phones have reduced the
time taken in normal communication.
Cost Reduction: Most of the Government expenditure is appropriated towards the cost of stationary.
Paper-based communication needs lots of stationary, printers, computers, etc. which calls for
continuous heavy expenditure. Internet and Phones makes communication cheaper saving valuable
money for the Government.
Transparency: Use of ICT makes governing profess transparent. All the information of the
Government would be made available on the internet. The citizens can see the information whenever
94
they want to see. But this is only possible when every piece of information of the Government is
uploaded on the internet and is available for the public to peruse. Current governing process leaves
many ways to conceal the information from all the people. ICT helps make the information available
online eliminating all the possibilities of concealing of information.
Accountability: Once the governing process is made transparent the Government is automatically
made accountable. Accountability is answerability of the Government to the people. It is the
answerability for the deeds of the Government. An accountable Government is a responsible
Government.
Convenience: E-Government brings public services to citizens on their schedule and their venue.
Improved Customer Service: E-Government allows to redeploy resources from back-end processing
to the front line of customer service.
Increased access to information: E-Government improves the accessibility of government
information to citizens allowing it become an important resource in the making the decisions that
affect daily life and so it helps in empowerment of citizens.
14.4 Issues and Challenges
Issues of e-Governance
Technical Issues
Interoperability: It is one of the critical issues of e-governance. Interoperation among ministries
and departments is difficult, and it became hurdle for processing and sharing data. In other words,
web based data how to be captured and in which format these seem to be major issues of e-governance.
Security: Now days, security of online transaction is becoming big issue; insurance, banking, utility
bill payments, all these services done by e-governance. In fact, there is still discontent to citizens on
availing government services due to lack of security.
Privacy: This is another key issues of e-governance.Any information provided by citizens should be
ensured by govt. otherwise, any person or institution may misuse the valuable information.
Authentication: It is very important to know the right user of the services or it may be misused by
private competitors. Meanwhile, the digital signature plays major role in providing authenticity. In
fact, it is expensive and causes for frequent maintenance.
Economic issues
Cost: It is one of the economic issues, implementation of e-governance operations and maintenance
of services fetch huge cost to govt.
Reusability: Any models developed by government, must be reusability. E-governance is being
national plan, what it incorporates any software or modules should be used by other administrations.
Maintainability: Maintenance should be given due importance. Because, IT ministry has been
continuously developing new soft ware’s in order to fill the current needs of citizens. Consequently,
govt. launched new projects for example, digital India.
95
Portability: The primary requisite for portable applications is independence of components from
hardware and software platforms in order to help in possible reuse by administrations.
Social issues
Accessibility: In the era of technology, mostly number of people using internet via computers and
mobile phones. In the context of India, there is still gap arising between users and nonusers; it is
because of language barrier, inadequate infrastructure in rural areas, etc.
Usability: Users of e-governance may be literate or illiterate. Any technology or software to be used
as user friendly to greater extent, only then, citizens could use it as smoothly as possible.
Use of local languages: India’s population is second next to china, over 65 % only literate citizens
are there; rest of population cannot understand the English language. Therefore, govt. should make it
more comfort by translating this language into their regional languages for the sake of benefit of e-
services.
Awareness about e-governance: Number of people in the country has not been aware of it, on
account of illiteracy, non-accessibility of internet in rural areas, lack of will using internet services,
etc. Therefore, educated citizens, concerned institution and dept. should come forward to get rural
people benefited by e-services.
Electronic governments also consist on certain disadvantage. The main disadvantage of an electronic
government is to move the government services into an electronic based system. This system loses
the person to person interaction which is valued by a lot of people. In addition, the implementation of
an e-government service is that, with many technology based services, it is often easy to make the
excuse (e.g. the server has gone down) that problems with the service provided are because of the
technology. The implementation of an e government does have certain constraints. Literacy of the
users and the ability to use the computer, users who do not know how to read and write would need
assistance. An example would be the senior citizens. In general, senior citizens do not have much
computer education and they would have to approach a customer service officer for assistance. And
also in case of rural people, it gives scope for middle man, who distorts the information. Studies
have shown that there is potential for a reduction in the usability of government online due to factors
such as the access to Internet technology and usability of services and the ability to access to computers
Even though the level of confidence in the security offered by government web sites are high, the
public are still concerned over security, fear of spam from providing email addresses, and government
retention of transaction or interaction history. There has been growing concern about the privacy of
data being collected as part of UID project. The security of cyber space and misuse of data is still
holding back the citizens to full adaptation of Aadhar card.
Challenges in e-governance
There are large numbers of potential barriers in the implementation of e-Governance. Some hindrance
in the path of implementation, like security, unequal access to the computer technology by the citizen,
high initial cost for setting up the e government solutions and resistance to change. Challenges identified
as trust, resistance to change, digital divide, cost and privacy and security concerns.
96
Trust can be defined along two dimensions: as an assessment of a current situation, or as an innate
personality traitor predisposition. The implementation of public administration functions via e-
government requires the presence of two levels of trust. The first is that the user must be confident,
comfortable and trusting of the tool or technology with which they will interact. The second dimension
of trust pertains to trust of the government.There has to be a balance between ensuring that a system
prevents fraudulent transactions and the burden that extensive checks can take place on people who
are honest. Recently, confidential information on military veterans was compromised when a computer
containing their personal information was lost. This type of incident can erode trust and user
confidence in government systems. Trust, along with financial security, are two critical factors limiting
the adoption of e-government services.
Resistance to change: The innovation diffusion theory states that over time an innovation will
diffuse through a population, and the rate of adoption will vary between those who adopt early,
referred to as early adopters and to those who adopt the innovation much later, referred to as laggards.
The resistant to change phenomenon can explain much of the hesitation that occurs on the part of
constituents in moving from a paper based to a Web-based system for interacting with government.
Citizens, employees and businesses can all have their biases with respect to how transactions should
be processed. However, government entities and public policy administrators cannot ignore the
changes that occur as a result of the implementation of information and communication technology
(ICT) Education about the value of the new systems is one step toward reducing some of the existing
resistance. It can also be particularly useful for a leader or manager, to buy into the new system at an
early stage in the adoption process
Digital Divide: The digital divide refers to the separation that exists between individuals, communities,
and businesses that have access to information technology and those that do not have such access.
Social, economic, infrastructural and ethno-linguistic indicators provide explanations for the presence
of the digital divide. Economic poverty is closely related to limited information technology resources.
An individual living below poverty line does not afford a computer for him to harness the benefits of
e-government and other online services. As the digital divide narrows, broader adoption of e-
government in the public domain becomes possible. Economic poverty is not the only cause of
digital divide. It can also be caused by the lack of awareness among the people. Even some of the
economic stable people don’t know about the scope of e -governance. Awareness can only help to
bring users to that service delivery channel once. It cannot guarantee sustained use of the system
unless the system is also designed in such a way as to deliver satisfactory outcome. Procedures need
to be simplified to deliver concrete benefits and clear guidelines provided to encourage their use by
the actual end users and reduce user’s dependence on middlemen/intermediaries
Cost is one of the most important prohibiting factor that comes in the path of e-governance
implementation particularly in the developing countries like India where most of the people living
below the poverty line. Elected officers and politician don’t seem to be interested in implementing
e-governance

97
Privacy and Security: There will be three basic levels of access exists for e-government stakeholders:
no access to a Web service; limited access to a Web-service or full-access to a Web service, however
when personal sensitive data exists the formation of the security access policy is a much more
complex process with legal consideration. With the implementation of e-government projects, effective
measures must be taken to protect sensitive personal information. A lack of clear security standards
and protocols can limit the development of projects that contain sensitive information such as income,
medical history.
14.5 Suggestions
A hybrid approach needs to be adopted for enhancing interoperability among e-governance
applications which will encompass a centralized approach for document management, knowledge
management, file management, grievance management etc. The e-governance initiatives in rural areas
should be taken by identifying and analysing the grassroots realities.
The government should also focus on devising appropriate, feasible, distinct and effective capacity
building mechanisms for various stakeholders viz bureaucrats, rural masses, urban masses, elected
representatives, etc.
Cloud computing is also becoming a big force to enhance the delivery of services related to e-
governance. Cloud computing is not only a tool for cost reduction but also helps in enabling new
services, improving the education system and creating new jobs/ opportunities.Meghraj- GI Cloud is
a step in the right direction. The focus of this initiative is to accelerate the delivery of e-services in
the country while optimizing ICT spending of the Government. E-Governance through regional
languages is appreciable for the nations like India where people from several linguistic backgrounds
are the participants.
14.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Advantages of E-Governance
b. Issues and Challenges
14.7 Summary
We have seen how the concept of e-governance and m-governance has evolved in Indian
scenario and how much it is required for transparency and accountability on the part of government
and at the same time it is also a toll to increase the participation of people in policy making by
empowering them with the right information at right time. The penetration of internet,
telecommunication services in India has increased in the last decade and this gives a ray of hope to
the citizens of India to fight with the long persisting problems of poverty, corruption, regional disparity
and unemployment. But at the same time, due to slow pace of project completion, red-tape and
resistance from the side of government employees and citizens too has not given the desired result.
14.8 Glossary
Cloud computing: the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store,
manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
98
ICTs: are the information and communication technologies such as, radio, computers, Internet,
Intranet, Websites, and satellites; providing database, knowledge database, expert systems, Geographic
Information System, Management Information System, video and audio teleconferencing.
M-Governance: M-governance is a sub-domain of e-governance. It ensures that electronic services
are available to people via mobile technologies using devices such as mobile phones. These services
bypass the need for traditional physical networks for communications and collaboration.
14.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.3 b. 1.4
14.10 Suggested Readings
Bhatnagar, Subhash, 2004, E-government: From Vision to Implementation A Practical Guide with
Case Studies, Sage, New Delhi
http://vikaspedia.in/e-governance/national-e-governance-plan/concept-of-e-governance
http://indiaegovernance.blogspot.in/2008/03/e-governance-what-does-it-mean.html
Malik, Poonam, Dhillan, Priyanka and Verma, Poonam. (July, 2014) -”Challenges and future prospects
for E-governance in india”, International Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Research,
volume-3, issue:7.
14.11 Terminal Questions
1. What are the advantages of E-Governance for any country?
2. What are the challenges in implementation of E-governance?

*****

99
 CHAPTER-15
I.T Policy of Himachal Pradesh & its Role in Governance

Structure
15.0 LearningObjectives
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Governance Models
15.3 Information Technology Policy of Himachal Pradesh
15.4 IT initiatives in Himachal Pradesh
15.5 Challenges
15.6 Self-Check Exercise
15.7 Summary
15.8 Glossary
15.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
15.10 Suggested Reading
15.11 Terminal Questions
15.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• I.T Policy of H.P
• Initiatives taken in ICT sector
• Benefits of technological initiatives
• Future challenges in implementation
15.1 Introduction
Information Technology (IT) has undoubtedly emerged as an important driving force in today’s
global economy. IT has completely transformed the way of human life. The relative position of a
country’s economy and state of its governance are gradually becoming synonymous with its ability to
participate in the IT industry and to apply IT tools in administration and extension of citizen services.
Industrialized and developing countries alike are formulating policies and programs to accelerate IT
development and dissemination. Information Technology is increasingly regarded as a key technology.
It is regarded as generic, strategic and critical core area. All OECD and other developed countries
have since recognized the importance of IT and use a variety of policies and joint public-private
programs to increase IT proliferation. In developing countries also it has been established that
100
Information Technology has the potential to enhance competitiveness of key industries, modernize
basic infrastructure and services, alleviate information poverty and reduce transaction costs throughout
the economy.
Most industrialized countries and an increasing number of newly industrialized countries use
new Information Technology in key areas like macro-economic planning and decision making, public
administration, education, health-care, manufacturing, finance and banking, transportation, commerce,
publishing, energy conservation and environmental management. Some economic historians assert
that the impact of information technology on society tantamount to a second industrial revolution as
momentous or even more in its implications compared to the first.
15.2 Governance Models
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. There are four types of interactions in e-
Governance viz., government to citizens (G2C), government to business (G2B), government to
government, that is, inter-agency relationships (G2G), and government to employees (G2E).
• G2C (Government to Citizens): In this case, an interface is created between the government
and citizens who enables citizens to benefit from efficient delivery of a large range of public
services. It gives citizens the choice of when to interact with the government (being available
24 hours a day, 7 days a week), from where to interact with the government (e.g., service
centre, unattended kiosk, or from one’s home/workplace) and how to interact with the
government (e.g., through the internet, fax, telephone, email, face-to-face, etc). The primary
purpose is to make the government, citizen-friendly.
• G2B (Government to Business): Here, e-Governance tools are used to aid the business
community to seamlessly interact with the government. The objective is to cut red tape, save
time, reduce operational costs, and to create a more transparent business environment when
dealing with the government. These measures help to provide a congenial environment to
businesses to enable them to perform more efficiently.
• G2G (Government to Government): In this case, Information and Communications Technology
is used not only to restructure the government processes involved in the functioning of
government entities but also to increase the flow of information and services within and
between different entities. This kind of interaction is, between different government agencies
as well as between national, provincial, and local governments. The primary objective is to
increase efficiency, performance, and output.
• G2E (Government to Employees): The government is by far the biggest employer and like
any organisation, it has to interact with its employees regularly. This interaction is a two-
way process between the organisation and the employee. The use of ICT tools helps in
making these interactions fast and efficient on the one hand and increases satisfaction levels
of employees on the other
101
 Recognizing the increasing importance of electronics, the Government of India established
the Department of Electronics in 1970. The subsequent establishment of the National Informatics
Centre (NIC) in 1977 was the first major step towards e-Governance. With the economic reforms in
1991, the model of e-governance in India gained a fillip due to convergence in the availability of
progressive technologies and opportunities in this field. A National Task Force on Information
Technology and Software Development was set-up in 1998. The Ministry of Information Technology
was created at the Centre in 1999. In the year 2000, a 12-point minimum agenda for e-Governance
was identified for implementation in all the central ministries and departments. The Information
Technology Act (2000) was enacted. The National Policy on Information Technology (NPIT) was
approved in 2012. It focuses on the deployment of ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
in all sectors of the economy and providing IT-based solutions to address citizen-centric issues. And
here we are now, at with ambitious project of Digital India, which will enable us to achieve the
motive of “minimum government, maximum governance”.
15.3 Information Technology Policy of Himachal Pradesh
Recognising the enormous potential of IT, the Himachal Pradesh Government has chalked out
a multi-pronged strategy to herald the benefits of this technology for its citizens and for the State as a
whole. Accordingly, the State Government has created an IT friendly environment for integrated
participation by all in the development process of the new digital economy. This journey into the
information age has brought improvement in the quality of every aspect of human life, emergence of
a competitive society and a vibrant economy of new age technologies through transparent governing
systems, sound infrastructure and skilled human resources. With the above objectives in mind, the
State Govt. had engaged NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) to
suggest the IT Vision 2010 for the State for the new millennium. The present policy is largely based
on NASSCOM study and the outcome of various deliberations held thereon with Industry, Academia
and different Government Departments.
The aspirations of the IT policy of Himachal Pradesh are based on 6 E’s i.e. Education,
Employment, Entrepreneurship, Electronic Governance, Economy and Equality. Thus the objectives
are as follows:
Investment in IT Sector: To encourage and accelerate the investments and growth in IT hardware,
software, training, IT enabled services, telecom, e-commerce and related sectors in the State.
IT in Education: Encourage the use of Information Technology in schools, colleges and educational
institutions in the state of Himachal Pradesh, so as to enable students to improve their skills, knowledge
and job prospects and enable them to obtain employment in this sunrise industry. (Note: Hundreds of
middle, high and senior secondary schools have already been computerised and computer aided
learning is being provided besides imparting basic skills in operating computers).
IT in Industry: To use IT effectively in industries especially where the State has competitive
advantages, for making such industries more global and help them to generate additional revenues; to
diversify the local industries into being web-enabled and attract IT companies from elsewhere in the
country and the world.
102
E-Governance: To use IT in the process of Government functioning to bring about Simple, Moral,
Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) governance to its citizens.
IT for Social Equity: To utilize the power of Information Technology in the overall goal of improving
healthcare; empowering women, rural & tribal communities as well as economically weaker sections
of society. The ultimate aim is to enhance social equity and justice.
IT for Employment: To use Information Technology for generating additional employment for the
new digital economy and governance.
IT Infrastructure: To provide adequate infrastructure in the state, so that the IT sector can flourish
and also to facilitate citizens of the state to use IT for a better quality of life.
Localization: To facilitate localization of software, so that benefits of IT could percolate not only in
the English language, but also in Hindi.
E-Tourism: To use IT for heralding world class E-Tourism in the State.
Venture Capital and Incubation Engine: To unleash the Himachal Pradesh incubation engine thereby
promoting entrepreneurship, increasing foreign exchange earnings and increasing IT’s contribution
to the State GDP.
IT, ITeS and ESDM Policy - 2019 Himachal Pradesh is the latest policy which drive the working of
technological advancements across the state.
15.4 IT initiatives in Himachal Pradesh
DITHP: The Department of Information Technology was set up in 2004 with the mandate to lay a
strong foundation for development of Information Technology (IT) in the state. The department strives
to encourage investments in IT and IT Enables Services, facilitates the establishment of IT institutes,
works for improving the quality of IT education in the state and is at the forefront in promoting usage
of IT Tools for ensuring a SMART (Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive & Transparent)
Government.
HIMSWAN: Launched on 5th February, 2008, Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the country to
establish a State Wide Area Network as an eGovernance initiative to create a Citizen-Government
interface which is backed by a dedicated high speed line connecting all sub-division, tehsils, sub-
tehsils, blocks and even panchayats. The network in operation is providing dynamic and interactive
informationfrom departments like Rural Development, Excise & Taxation, Police and others for a
time saving, transparent and better governance processes.
HPSDC: Himachal Pradesh State Data Centre has been identified as one of the important element of
the core infrastructure for supporting e-Governance initiatives of National e-Government Plan (NeGP).
Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh (DITHP) has commissioned the Himachal
Pradesh State Data Centre (HPSDC) on 30 May, 2016 to host IT applications of various Government
Departments for the benefits of citizens, to provide efficient electronic delivery of G2C (Government
to Citizens), G2G (Government to Government) and G2B (Government to Business) services and to

103
create common infrastructure for State Government Offices which include (Computing devices-
servers in shared mode, Storage, network devices, electrical, air conditioning, network connectivity,
UPS, Rack etc.,) installation and integration of IT infrastructure (servers, telecom equipment, integrated
portal/ departmental information system, Enterprise and network management system, security,
firewalls/IDS, networking components etc.), software and databases.
Himachal Online Seva (e-district) portal: Himachal Online Seva (e-District) Portal aims to provide
citizen centric services electronically in an integrated manner. It also envisages automation of
workflow, backend computerization, and data digitization across participating departments. Currently
there are 140 Services launched and available on the portal which citizen can apply. Himachal
Online Seva (e-District) project is also integrated with LokMitraKendras (LMKs) to provide important
services through them which will help in reducing the number of citizen visits to Government offices.
The Project was awarded Best Public Service Initiative Award during Digital India Summit, 2019.
MukhyaMantriSevaSankalp Helpline @ 1100 is a one stop shop for all public grievances in the
State. It covers: Grievance registration, Demands & Suggestions, Information dissemination It includes
all sources of grievances like those received at call center through toll free number 1100, through
paper trails, emails, CM Sankalp mobile app or the MM SevaSankalp Portal. MMSS Helpline is
operated through a Call Centre based at Shimla functional on all days from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. The
Call Centre handles incoming and/or outgoing telephone calls; from /to the citizens and
concernedofficials responsible to deliver solutions for various services identified by the Government
of Himachal Pradesh.MukhyaMantriSevaSankalp Helpline was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister
of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Jairam Thakur on 16th September 2019.
HRTC Online Ticket Booking: The Department of IT has developed software for booking HRTC
Ticket using Touch Screen Kiosk. Using this facility, passengers can now book ticket of all the long
route buses using Credit/ Debit Card or through Internet Banking. Software is implemented in New
Bus Stand Shimla. Application has been integrated with PNB Payment Gateway.
E-Procurement: Web based online tool to make the Processes of Procurement and Tendering more
efficient, Minimize Procurement Costs and improve Transparency in the official procedure. The tool
has been implemented across the State Government departments for all tenders above INR 5 lakhs
mandatorily.
LokMitraKendras: LMKs are the front-end delivery points for Government, Private and Social
Sector services to rural citizens at their doorsteps, in an integrated manner using Information and
Communication Tools and have been set up at GP level.
Wi-Fi Choupal: The project aims to create a rural Internet service delivery platform for the villagers,
managed and operated by a local person, thereby transforming the village into a “Hi-Fi Village”. The
project shall be rolled out in GPs across the state
Command and Control Centre:To improve the safety of the citizens, a Statelevel hi-tech Command
and Control Center would be established to capture high-quality videos, surveillance, vehicle tracking,
crowd management, traffic management, crime detection & control activities, disaster management
etc.
104
15.5 Challenges
E-Governance has to be citizen-friendly. The delivery of services to citizens is considered a primary
function of the government. It should enable seamless access to information and seamless flow of
information across the state and central government in the federal set up. No country has so far
implemented an e-Governance system for one billion people. It is a big challenge for us.
Work Plan: The ‘Working Group on E-Government in the Developing World’ considers infrastructure,
economic health, education, information policies, etc. as crucial factors for the success of e-
governance projects. If these factors are well in place then they can lay down the roadmap for
effective e-governance implementation. Each state face problems of low connectivity, technical
professionals, finances, and other resources coupled with inappropriate planning. Hence, it becomes
difficult to develop specific applications and services.
Different languages: Every country where people with different cultures and different religions
live. Governance applications are written in English which may not be understood by most people.
Therefore, it becomes a challenge for the government to write e-Governance applications in regional
languages, to reach the people.
Low Digital literacy: only 10% of the population is digitally literate. There are efforts like PM
Digital SakshartaAbhiyaan going on, but we need to speed up them.
Accessibility: Even though the Internet users are growing there is a major part of the Indian population
that does not have access to e-Governance services for a variety of reasons, e.g. some people may
not own mobile phones, internet connection, electricity issues, etc. The Digital divide among rural-
urban areas, gender-wise is a major challenge.
Limited financial resources: Its implementation in India is a humungous task due to the vast area
and population. A huge cost is involved in the implementation, operational and evolutionary maintenance
tasks of these activities. Added to it are the differential capacities of states and local governments.
Resistance to change: this issue persists among citizens as well as the people within the
administration. Citizens are adapted to paperwork and are apprehensive of online transactions. We
need to establish their trust first.
Privacy and Security: there is no data protection law in place; hence privacy is even more of a
concern. The Aadhaar Bill met with a lot of resistance due to this. Also, the government’s critical
infrastructure, websites are under threat of cyber-attacks.
Interoperability among various levels of government centre, state, local; as well as among ministries
is another issue.
15.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Governance Models
b. IT policy of Himachal Pradesh
c. IT Initiatives in Himachal Pradesh

105
15.7 Summary
The state of Himachal Pradesh has increased the efficiency of administration by building the
critical digital infrastructure throughout the state. It tried to bridge the digital divide by providing
internet connectivity till the remotest corner of the state. State encouraged the officials involved in
the delivery of services to adopt the latest technological model to ensure the citizen centric governance.
It started many initiatives across the departments which tries to delivery services in transparent and
time bound manner.
15.8 Glossary
ESDM: The Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Promotion Programme of
Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India seeks to radically
change electronics hardware manufacturing in the country by increasing value addition, encouraging
technology developement.
ITES: Information Technology Enabled Services is a term that refers to the use of information
technology (IT) to deliver a range of services to businesses and organizations. It includes a wide
range of activities, such as data processing, customer support, technical support, and consulting.
OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international,
intergovernmental economic organization of 38 countries. OECD was founded in the year 1961 to
stimulate world trade and economic progress.
15.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.4
15.10 Suggested Readings
Second ARC, eleventh report on e-governance https://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/
promoting_egov11.pdf
https://himachaldit.gov.in/it-policy/
M.P. Gupta, Prabhat K, Jaijit Bhattacharya: Government online, tata Mc. Graw hill Publishing
Company Limited, New Delhi, 2004.
15.11 Terminal Questions
1. What are the foundations for I.T policy in Himachal Pradesh?
2. Enumerate the I.T initiatives taken in the state of Himachal Pradesh?

*****

106
 CHAPTER-16
Concept of Lok Mitra Kendras

Structure
16.0 Learning Objectives
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Concept of Common Service Centers
16.3 LokMitraKendras of Himachal Pradesh
16.4 Examples of Other States CSCs
16.5 Bottlenecks in Implementation
16.6 Self-Check Exercise
16.7 Summary
16.8 Glossary
16.9 Answer to Self-Check Exercise
16.10 Suggested Reading
16.11 Terminal Questions
16.0 LearningObjectives:
After going through this lesson the students will be able to know
• The concept of Common service centres
• LokMitraKendras of Himachal Pradesh
• What more needed for its implementation?
16.1 Introduction
E-Governance is the application of Information-Technology in the processes of Government
functioning to ensure the highest standard of services to the citizens by providing instant access to
selected Government information, and interfaces for communicating with the various government
functionaries, wherever and whenever they need it. The Government of Himachal Pradesh is committed
to provide the general public, especially living in distant rural areas of the State, with the benefits of
using Information Technology (IT) in Governance at their doorstep. Since The State has improved its
potential of Internet facility and has proved its potential as a powerful and effective means of
disseminating information, it is here that the importance of having good government web-enabled
interfaces comes into light. The Web-enabled Government-Citizen Interface, named LokMitra Kendra
is one such step of the Himachal Pradesh State Government in that direction. The objective of the

107
LokMitraKendras is to provide e-services in the locality of citizens, by creating the physical service
delivery infrastructure for accessing various e-services. LMK is envisaged to be a Change Instrument
that would provide a structured platform for socially- inclusive community participation for
development. It is the community participation and collective action, not ICT alone, which would
lead to sustainable socio-economic development and long-term rural prosperity.
16.2 Concept of Common Service Centers
Common Service Centres (CSC) are physical facilities for delivering Government of India
e-Services to rural and remote locations where availability of computers and Internet was negligible
or mostly absent. They are multiple-services-single-point model for providing facilities for multiple
transactions at a single geographical location.
CSCs are the access points for delivery of essential public utility services, social welfare
schemes, healthcare, financial, education and agriculture services, apart from host of B2C services
to citizens in rural and remote areas of the country. It is a pan-India network catering to regional,
geographic, linguistic and cultural diversity of the country, thus enabling the Government’s mandate
of a socially, financially and digitally inclusive society.
The CSC project, which forms a strategic component of the National e-Governance Plan was
approved in September 2006. It is also one of the approved projects under the Integrated Mission
Mode Projects of the National e-Governance Plan. CSC e-Governance Services India Limited
incorporated on 16 July 2009.The implementation of the CSC would be done in a Public–private
partnership (PPP) model in a revenue sharing model which will try to empower village level
entrepreneur by providing employment at their doorsteps.
Objectives
• Access to information : all remote/ rural citizens
• Delivery of public services – G2C & B2C
• ICT for rural Empowerment of socially disadvantaged people for inclusive growth
• Access to quality education / skill upgradation
• Access to cost efficient & quality health services
• CSC as a change agent - To promote rural entrepreneurship, enable community participation
and effect collective action for social improvement
Through a collaborative framework, the objective of CSC is to integrate the twin goals of
profit-making and social services, into a sustainable business model for achieving rapid socio-
economic change.
Based on the assessment of CSC scheme, the Government launched the CSC 2.0 scheme in
2015 to expand the outreach of CSCs to all Gram Panchayats across the country. Under CSC 2.0
scheme, at least one CSC will be set up in each of the 2.5 lakh GPs across the country by 2019. CSCs

108
functioning under the existing scheme will also be strengthened and integrated with additional 1.5
lakh CSCs across the country. CSC 2.0 scheme would consolidate service delivery through a universal
technology platform, thereby making e-services, particularly G2C services accessible to citizens
anywhere in the country.
16.3 LokMitraKendras of Himachal Pradesh
LokMitra Kendra aims to establish self-sustaining network at Gram Panchayat (GP) level
under the SITEG(Society for promotion of IT & e-Governance) society with an objective to deliver
various citizen centric services. The model of LokMitra Kendra is envisaged as transaction based
and service delivery based model, delivering a bouquet of e-services through a single delivery
technological platform, which would increase the sustainability of the LokMitraKendras across the
state.The project envisages various direct/indirect social as well as economic benefits to the rural
masses:
• Better dissemination of information till the remotest corner, which results better awareness
among rural masses regarding various Government Schemes which try to bring transparency
in the delivery of citizen centric services.
• Saving the time & cost of people visiting District headquarters time and again for getting
information, lodging complaints & inquiring their status etc.
• Employment generation by opening up of LokMitraKendras throughout the State in the private
sector.
• Facilitating the growth of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) throughout the State.
To get the LMK ID, VLE need to submit online request to get LokMitra Kendra (LMK) ID by
uploading details on http://lmk.gov.in portal. Following documents are required while applying for
LMK ID:
• Photo ID Proof
• Address Proof
• Affidavit
• NOC from concerned Tehsildar/ NaibTehsildar/ BDO/ Panchayat Pradhan/
Panchayat Secretary (from any of them) may be taken to certify the need to have an LMK and
the Applicant belongs to that Gram Panchayat/Ward. After filling in the application on LMK Portal,
District Manager verifies the details and submit application to respective District Administration/
DeGS to approve the application. Once application is approved by the District Administration/
DeGS, LMK ID is assigned to the VLE by IT Department.
The Common Service Centres in Himachal Pradesh is branded as LokMitraKendras (LMKs),
as per approval of the State Government during the initiation of the Project. In view of the latest
guidelines, there will be no distinction between Common Service Centres (CSCs) and

109
LokMitraKendras (LMKs). A local Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) would be responsible to bear
the entire capital and operational expenditure involved in making the CSC operational. VLE is also
expected to deliver various services to citizens as per the direction of the State Nodal Department.
Presently around 5500 LMKs are operational and providing services such as:
• Collection of HPSEB electricity bill.
• IPH water bill.
• Issuance of copy of NakalJamabandi (Land Records).
• HRTC Bus Ticket Booking.
• E-Aadhaar Printing.
• Updation of demographic details in Aadhaar.
• Permanent Enrolment Centres (PECs) for enrolling new Aaadhaar numbers.
• MC Shimla Water Bill Collection.
• MC Shimla House Tax Collection.
• Jail Varta-Prisoner Relative Video Conferencing System.
• Farmer Portal-Registration,Feedback.
The commission/ service charges will be paid to VLE through online process immediately
for each G2C service successfully rendered at a CSC. The revenue sharing will be in the ration of
80:20, wherein 80% will be paid to VLE and remaining 20% will be equally shared between CSC
SPV and IT Department. The monitoring at the district level will be undertaken by District
Administration/ District eGovernance Society (DeGS) supported by State Level Resources (SLRs)
deployed at Districts.
16.4 Examples of Other States CSCs
Chandigarh: E-samparkcenters is a Department of IT (DIT) initiative for the development, integration
and maintenance of web-portal for various departments of the Administration for providing ‘One-
stop-shop’ for 45 G2C and 4 B2C services . It not only provides the Online Transaction Processing
through its centres and web-enabled portal but also is a major source of information dissemination.
Punjab: SUWIDHA centres (Single User-Friendly Window Disposal and Helpline for Applicants)
are aimed to provide citizens with convenience. These SUWIDHA centres provide citizens with
services at a single point. No matter if the services might be related to any other department too. It is
one of the very early initiatives of E-Governance that aims at Government to citizen services. It is a
time bound method where citizens get results in a quick and effective manner.
Andhra Pradesh: MeeSeva In Telugu, the word “MeeSeva” means “At Your Service,” i.e., assistance
to the public. It is a good governance programme that supports a single entry gateway for the whole
range of G2C & G2B services and integrates the National e-Governance Plan’s “Public Services
Closer to Home” goal.
110
Rajasthan : E-Mitra project combines the Jan Mitra and LokMitra projects, which offer a single
roof under which to house all of the departments. The Jan Mitra has created an integrated e-platform
so that rural residents of Rajasthan can access the information they need and services connected to
various government agencies right at their door using digital technology. The LokMitra is an urban-
focused e-government project that offers public services online.
16.5 Bottlenecks in Implementation
During the initial phase, the project was plagued by many unanticipated challenges and
obstacles that made it really hard to keep up with the roll out schedule. There was also a great deal
of disparity between the central and state governments communication. There were other challenges
that were known yet beyond the control of addressing and handling due to prevailing unavoidable
circumstances. The challenges are categorized into technical, administrative, capacity building, aware-
ness and sensitization, financial, G2C services, and man power.
Technical
Connectivity: Most of the rural areas are deprived of internet connectivity to the last mile.
Electricity: Infrastructure build up remains dysfunctional due to lack of power supply in most of the
areas.
Administrative
Bureaucracy: Even though the CSC is an ambitious and one of the core e-Government initiatives that
created history and marked its importance across the country, one of the major challenges involved
is dealing with the bureau-cratic system itself.
Government Support: Government support was another major challenge since the attitude of rejection
and non-cooperation was working within the system.
Capacity Building: Capacity building at state and project level should have been carried out
simultaneously with the project implementation. The implementation could have been phenomenal
had the government officials been better trained, well informed, equipped to handle a variety of
situations, and able to appreciate the importance of such a massive initiative.
Awareness and Sensitization: The rural population was completely oblivious to the importance of
the CSC services and its importance for them. They still believed in the notion of making a trip down
to the town for any government services. They had to be educated that those services would be
available at CSC right at their doorsteps and only a few clicks away.
Financial :Government is providing subsidy but more is needed to be done to expand the networks
of common service centers.
16.6 Self-Check Exercise
a. Concept of Common Service Centers
b. LokMitra Kendra’s of Himachal Pradesh
c. Bottlenecks in Implementation
111
16.7 Summary
The Common Service Centres, popularly known as the CSCs, are one of the important
constituents of the core infrastructure of the NeGP. The main objective of the CSC Scheme is to
create a platform that enables government, private and social sector organisations to align their
social and commercial goals for the benefit of the rural population in the remotest corners of the
country through IT-based services. So, the scheme envisages inclusion of the rural population in the
development process, thereby, bringing improvement in their socio-economic conditions. The
LokMitraKendras in the state of Himachal Pradesh are playing pivotal role in the delivery of citizen
centric services in transparent and time-bound manner.
16.8 Glossary
DIT: Department of Information Technology
LMK: LokMitraKendras
SDA: State Designated Agency
SITEG: Society for Information Technology and E-Governance
VLE: Village Level Entrepreneur
16.9 Answers to Self-check exercise
To see a. 1.2 b. 1.3 c. 1.5
16.10 Suggested Readings
Bhuvana, M., &Vasantha, S. (2020). Assessment of rural citizens satisfaction on the service quality
of common service centers (CSCs) of e-governance. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(5), 302-305.
https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/CSCFinalReportCIPS.pdf
https://himachaldit.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/LMK-Policy-V1.1.pdf
Sharma, S. K., Metri, B., Dwivedi, Y. K., &Rana, N. P. (2021). Challenges common service centers
(CSCs) face in delivering e-government services in rural India. Government Information Quarterly,
38(2), 101573.
16.11 Terminal Questions
1. What is the concept of common service centers? Give some examples across India?
2. Explain the functioning of Lokmitrakendras in Himachal Pradesh?

*****

112
 MA IIIrd Semester Course Code : MPUB 301
Public Administration

Digital Governance & Emerging

Issues in Public Administration
Lesson 1-16

Edited and revised by

Professor L.R. Verma

International Centre for Distance Education & Open Learning

Himachal Pradesh University, Gyan Path
Summer Hill, Shimla - 171005
 CONTENTS
SR. NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

Syllabus 1

CHAPTER-1 Elements, Forms and Concept of Good Governance 2

CHAPTER-2 Kautilya and Good Governance 10
CHAPTER-3 Theories and Concept of Good Governance 16
CHAPTER-4 World Bank and UNDP 23
CHAPTER-5 Digital Governance: Concepts, Scope and Significance 29
CHAPTER-6 Issues and Challenges: Digital Divide, Privacy and Cyber Security, 35
Capacity Building
CHAPTER-7 Democracy, Information, Social Media Platforms, Drivers and Barriers of 42
Open Digital Governance
CHAPTER-8 Social Media Platforms: Problems of Control and Misinformation 48
CHAPTER-9 Introduction to Disaster and Types of Disaster 54
CHAPTER-10 Disaster Management Act, 2005 61
CHAPTER-11 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 68
CHAPTER-12 Management of Disasters in India with special reference to COVID-19 75
CHAPTER-13 E-Governance Initiatives in Indian Administration 84
CHAPTER-14 E-Governance Issues Challenges and Strategies 92
CHAPTER-15 I.T Policy of Himachal Pradesh & its Role in Governance 100
CHAPTER-16 Concept of Lok Mitra Kendras 107