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UPSC GS Paper – 2: Q.8 e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features?

Gaurav Soni September 30, 2023 03:45 4768 0

Daily Answer Writing DAILY UPSC ANSWER WRITTING 2023 General Studies-II

Evaluate the role of e-governance in enhancing effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in government operations. Identify the key inadequacies that hinder the advancement of e-governance initiatives.

UPSC GS Paper – 2: Q.8 e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features?

Q.8 e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features?

How to approach the question

Introduction

●      Write about e-governance briefly

Body

●      Write how e-governance has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments

●      Write inadequacies hampering the enhancement of these features

●      Write suitable way ahead in this regard

Conclusion

●      Give appropriate conclusion in this regard

Introduction

E-governance refers to the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver government services, exchange information, conduct transactions between government-to-customer (G2C), government-to-business (G2B), government-to-government (G2G), as well as back-office processes and interactions within the entire government framework.

Body

E-Governance Ushered in Effectiveness, Transparency, and Accountability in Governments in the following ways

Effectiveness

  • One-Stop Portals: Comprehensive platforms like the UMANG app, which are offering over 1200 services, diminish the hassle of visiting multiple websites or offices, thereby enhancing the citizen-government interaction and streamlining procedures.
  • Paperless Transactions: The e-office initiative has fostered an environment where a substantial number of governmental transactions are conducted peerlessly. It conserves resources and significantly reduces the time typically lost in manual handling, thereby enhancing efficiency.
  • Speedy in nature: Reduces time delay in implementing or providing information .Eg. Seva of Andhra Pradesh Government
  • Online Taxation: Digital platforms facilitating e-filing of taxes have simplified the taxation process manifold. Websites like the Income Tax India e-filing site have reduced paperwork, improved accuracy, and allowed for quicker processing of tax returns.
  • Telemedicine: Through platforms like e-Sanjeevani supporting remote consultations and digital prescriptions, citizens in remote areas can access healthcare services more effectively, demonstrating a significant step towards equitable healthcare.

 

Transparency

  • Real-Time Information: It has enabled the deployment of platforms such as “MERIT India,” which offers real-time insights into the electricity market, ensuring transparency in power management through an open dissemination of data, fostering an environment of trust and reliability.
  • Public Procurement: The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) in India has revolutionized public procurement by offering a transparent platform for government departments and vendors, minimizing corruption and ensuring fair market practices.
  • RTI Online: The digitization of the Right to Information (RTI) application process has fostered greater transparency, enabling citizens to easily access information and encouraging open dialogue between the government and its constituents.
  • Open Data Initiatives: Open data platforms grant public access to various government datasets, encouraging data-driven decision-making and fostering a transparent government system.

 

Accountability

  • Grievance Redressal Platforms: Digital platforms like CPGRAMS have been pivotal in ensuring governmental accountability, offering a structured system for lodging and monitoring complaints, enhancing the responsiveness of the administration to public grievances.
  • Digital Attendance: Implementing systems like the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) has fostered a culture of accountability, ensuring punctuality and regular attendance of government employees, which is crucial for operational efficiency.
  • Social Audits: The advent of e-governance has facilitated social audits, a participatory process where community members collaboratively evaluate government programs and schemes, holding authorities accountable for their actions.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Tools such as PRAGATI work towards a centralized monitoring of essential programs and projects, holding agencies accountable, and ensuring timely implementation.

 

Inadequacies Hampering E-governance Development

  • Digital Divide; As per India development review Access to the internet through any kind of device was found to be far better in urban India at 44 percent than in rural areas at 17 percent.
  • Cybersecurity Concerns: The increasing number of cyber-attacks, including high-profile cases such as the 2021 Air India data breach affecting 4.5 million customers globally, casts doubt on the security measures protecting sensitive data in e-governance platforms.
  • Privacy Concerns: The large-scale collection of personal data through platforms like Aadhar has ignited debates on potential privacy violations, spotlighted in various Supreme Court hearings, emphasizing the necessity for robust data protection laws.
  • Complex User Interface: Some platforms suffer from user-unfriendly designs, creating hurdles for users, especially the elderly. The initial version of the Aarogya Setu app faced criticism for its complex interface before updates were implemented to enhance usability.
  • Limited Interoperability: These systems frequently demonstrate limited interoperability, constraining the fluid exchange of information between different governmental platforms. It slows down processes and requiring users to submit the same data on multiple platforms.
  • Inefficient Backend Administration: These platforms are marred by outdated backend administrative processes, diminishing the pace and efficiency of services. Eg: manual entry of data in some government offices creates a bottleneck in the quick dispensation of services.
  • Low infrastructure connectivity: mobile tower connectivity, especially in Naxal districts is very poor.
  • Language Barrier: The limited availability of e-governance services in vernacular languages restricts usability, particularly amongst non-English speaking individuals.

 

Way Ahead in this regard

  • Digital Literacy: Need to promote digital literacy through innovative grassroots campaigns that utilize local knowledge hubs such as “Panchayat Bhavans”. Also, introducing digital literacy as a compulsory subject in school curricula can equip the next generation with digital skills.
  • Cybersecurity Measures: Enhancing the trust in e-governance platforms involves crafting a multi-tier cybersecurity framework. Creating a national cybersecurity hotline could be a step forward in providing immediate assistance in cases of cyber threats or frauds.
  • Infrastructure Development: Bridging the digital divide necessitates infrastructure development inclusive of establishing community internet centres in rural areas, facilitated by renewable energy solutions to counter power instability.
  • Multilingual Platforms: To reach the diverse linguistic demographic of India, it is imperative to develop e-governance platforms that are multilingual and include voice-assisted services to aid those who are unable to read, fostering inclusivity and accessibility.
  • Backend Digitization: Using AI and machine learning can automate routine tasks, thus elevating the efficiency and speed of service delivery. Blockchain technology could further enhance transparency and reduce errors in these processes.
  • User-Friendly Interfaces: Innovating e-governance platforms with intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, facilitated with video tutorials and 24/7 helpline services can ensure that users from all age groups can navigate the platforms with ease.
  • Interoperable Systems: Need to facilitate a smooth, secure, and seamless data exchange. For this, creating a universal digital ID for citizens could be a ground-breaking step in this direction, simplifying interactions with various governmental platforms.
  • Quick Redressal Mechanisms: To foster trust in e-governance, it is pivotal to establish quick redressal mechanisms that utilize AI to promptly identify and sort grievances, alongside establishing dedicated fast-track redressal channels for urgent issues.
  • Training Programs: Regular training programs coupled with hands-on workshops should be designed for government personnel to keep them abreast with the evolving digital landscape and enhance their efficiency in service delivery.

 

Conclusion

E-governance has indeed revolutionized the functioning of governments, the journey is far from over. Addressing the existing inadequacies and forging a way ahead with innovative, inclusive, and secure strategies can further deepen the impact of e-governance, creating a governance model that is truly by the people, for the people, and of the people.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-01 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-02 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-03 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-04 Mains question 2023, click here.

 

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