2. Is technology the panacea for the ills being faced by the governance ecosystem of India? Critically examine.
- IASbaba
- May 27, 2016
- 20
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68 years post independence, India stall lags behind providing basic facilities to its people leaving behind nearly a quarter population in cycle of poverty. There are 2 issues to be addressed. Firstly, the policy paralysis and secondly, the implementation aspect. Many of the time, the policies on paper look as the panacea for the ills of the country but when it gets translated on to the field, a myriad set of problems crop in limiting the reach and effectiveness of the governance. Technology can provide an assertive support system to address some of these issues like corruption, bridging the C2G gap, reducing leakages etc
Firstly, through the JAM trinity solution, which was a huge success in DBT to LPG through the PAHAL scheme, which saved to the exchequer nearly 20,000 cr. This model can be replicated across various social security schemes like MGNREGA, Pensions, Insurance claims.
Secondly, through technology empowerment of people could be doneby removing the information assymetries. E,g: prices of agri commodities in APMCs, accurate weather patterns
Thirdly, technology can aid reforms in the manufacturing sector, like self certification of various forms by industries and uploading them in the portal, TS-iPass scheme launched by govt of Telagana, to know the status of application submitted by an investors.
There are many such inherent advantages which technology offer for governance system but technology is only a strong support system which can be put to use when other things fall in place. Like in case of DBT, financial inclusion and accessibility to banking system forms the back bone of whole framework. Technology could be put to illegitmate use, like the PRISM issue in USA to snoop on the personal activities of citizens.
Despite of various limitations, technology could be a game changer for the governance ecosystem which would bring in more accountability and transparency.
PLEASE REVIEW…..
nice shot bro , addition in structure:-
what we consider governance ecosystem( stake holders are citizens, CSO’s , Market/business/corporate,bureaucracy/government)
ills:-
1. Delay/red tapism—Aadhaar through 30 DBT schemes may solve delay. single window clearance and online filling of applications and requests and immediate escalation will reduce red tapism.
2. High costing–procurement needs expertise and huge funding then easy to operate at low cost. but dependency on big technical IT services corportations.
3. favouitism/nepotism–technology driven solution are neutral and impartial.
4. vested interest of bureaucracy/government– no biases or prejudices practices in techno solution. structural biases in bureaucracy can be overlaid in design of techno enabled solution.
e. g. conditions apply for online bidding process may be in favour of particular group.
5. staff incapacity–very less staff required but black out time under consideration in It enabled solutions.
6. Right to be informed— catered well by technology platform -proactive disclosure of information without seeking by citizens
7. disasters:- Use of drones for drought and flood survey assessing insurance claims, finding missing person through apps etc. where NDRF otherwise seems powerless.
8. digital education and digital medicine all reinforce inequalities prevailing than to fill the gaps if not funded and aided by government agencies properly.
9. Decision making in governance:- decision making with values of empathy , sensitivity , innovative way and at ad hoc during contingency and disaster is not arena of IT solutions ..Man will always behind them
Techno- utopian foundation -technocratic state conception…Aadhaar—threat to right to privacy, personal data theft,cyber attack etc.. Credit cards are not immune to theft like cash. E-commerce is not less prone to fraud. With only 20 percent people having broadband and then claiming e-governance successful model(based on exclusion rather than inclusion) can be political expediency hyped through social media misuse.
cyber world :- facilitator , enabler and service provider role ;prone to attack,surveillance,
Citizen–apathy, indifference, lack of awareness , incapacity to use technology platform
Government :- lack of technology risk management ;open use by masses would may increase the impact of lacunae of technology than the potential sometimes but following robust model by including Technology giants, developing innovation ecosystem, exploiting country’s IT strength at it best would provide healing treatment to rotten government’s way of functioning.
Thanks bro.. your input are really helpful
agreed to @@cosviny:disqus..
Technology will only bring the ” minimum government ,Maximum governance.”…
Governance system in India is facing many challenges- Slow public service delivery, low efficiency, low transparency, low accountability of public servants. At present government of India is pushing for the greater use of technology by many programs- national e-governance program, Digital India program. Technology up to a large extent can solve problems of governance of India by way of –
a. Increasing efficiency- With the use of technology the efficiency of government offices can be increased at it will save a large amount of time of the public officers. e-office system in many government departments has improved efficiency and reduced the wastage of paper.
b. Improve Public service delivery- with the use of technology services can be rendered to consumers in an effective and satisfactory way. There can be a strong grievance redressal platform.
c. Reduce the corruption- will provide services without interaction of the public servants.
d. Along with the above it can be useful in targeted delivery of service and can prevent the leakages eg: DBT in the LPG subsidy, MGNREGA has saved thousands of crore to the government.
e. Technology can be used to automatic dissemination information about government
But technology alone can’t solve the problems it has to be accompanied by-
a. Capacity building and retraining of the government officials.
b. Creating mass awareness about the use of the technological platform.
c. Public officials should have will power to disseminate information in public.
Information communication technology (ICT) has revolutionized various dimensions of our life be it shopping, business, social media and finally governments are using ICT to deliver citizen friendly governance.
ICT has started to play an important role in the governance of the country:
1. PRAGATI: This multi modal platform enables real time monitoring of the governments project and grievance redressal by bringing Central secretariat, Chief secretary of state and PMO in close coordination through ICT.
2. PAHAL: Transfer of cooking gas subsidy to the beneficiary using AADHAR linked bank account which has brought transparency and accountability to the subsidy scheme.
3.E- biz to provide single platform for government to business services to investors and business man.
4.National agriculture market: To connect farmers to the market through online mode which will provide wide options to farmers to sell their produce and overall price stability in the market.
5. Digitization of PDS to prevent corruption and bringing accountability for efficient service to citizen.
Thus ICT is playing a major role in improving the accountability, transparency and efficiency of the governance but Technology is not the panacea which would solve all the problem of governance at best it can act as an enabler to the officials and politicians who has to take decision and implement the schemes. Honesty and integrity of the person involved will always be desired.
example:
Event with the DBT in place with the nexus of distributor and beneficiary, march rush is taking place and distributor is making money by selling cooking gas in black market.
If the registration of the beneficiary is tampered with people can still create leakage in public schemes.
Thus technology is an enabler in the scheme of things and we have to build capacity of the people and their honesty and integrity for the best possible outcome.
Good answer
Can write 2-3 more points on why e-governance is not a panacea : privacy issue, cyber attacks, phissing : can write sometimes electronic media is more unreliable.
Examples are very good
Hey thanks yaar
your review is always welcome
point noted.
🙂
Technology has revolutionized the world. The advent of ICT has made phenomenal strides in the globalized world.Even its fast overreaching capability can’t act as panacea for all the ills
Few examples.
[1] ICT can help in connecting the world ,disseminating news, but it can’t replace a sensible, investigative and ethical journalism.
[2] ICT can augment the transparency, ushers accountability, reduces corruption but to implement the policies and decisions one needs the machinery, and sympathetic public officials.
[3] ICT can reduce the congestion and revolutionize the public transport, helps in crowd management but in absence of social infrastructure it’s of no use.
[4] The Man and animal conflict, Integrated Border Control Management can be be effectively managed with the help of technology but for following SOPs one needs to reduce the ambiguous and multiple meaning language in the policy and reduction in discretionary powers.
Though ICT has made life easier,but surely ICT can’t replace the 65% of human capital which is needed to operate, understand and implement to reduce the governance Deficit
Please review. Thank You.
Please review…
nice structure and handwriting!!!
ICT is changing the world. It will improve the efficiency of government if ICT is implemented at all levels of government.
All the process will become more transparent and more accountable.
It will help to get the tag of Digital India. It will help people to do work or get work done at ease of technology.
It will reduce the corruption for substantial level.
Main challenge for government id how to implement ICT inclusive of URBAN and Rural People.
ICT will play major role in nation building. It will help all get access to knowledge pool.
The main problems of our governance Ecosystem are corruption,red tapism,indifferent attitude of officials,complicated rules and regulations.To overcome these problems and to bring efficiency in administrative system it is essential to use technology as an important instrument in administrative processes.
Incorporating technology will reduce discretion of human beings which is one of the main reasons for administrative problems.Also, technology paves the way for transparent and accountable functioning of all the organs of our administrative system.Time bound delivery of services can also be ensured ,if technology will be directed through proper channels.
But incorporation of technology alone will not solve all the problems being prevailed in our administrative system.Because administrative machinery consists of human beings.Without their co-operation and willingness to change no progress is achievable in our system.So attitudinal change along with technological incorporation and up gradation will alter the governance ecosystem of our country in a more positive way.
The Advantages of technology in improving governance
1. Increased efficiency in the public service delivery
2. Single window clearance is possible with technology solutions
3. Improved services and information dissemination eg Poshan videos(healthcare videos) provided to ASHA workers so that they educate new mothers.
4. Increased communication between citizens and government: prompt grievance redressal mechanisms.
5. Reduced opportunities of bribery,corruption and delay as governance would be digitalised.
6. Auditing of projects would become easier.
However, it may suffer from the following lacunae
1. Limited Internet/mobile reach of citizens.
2. Lack of education to utilize such provisions.
3. Limited resources and infrastructure to reach large population.
4. Socio-cultural evils are prevalent in the society.
Various government schemes like Digital India,Skill India, E-governance initiatives are step in the right direction.
Advantages
————————
Increased transparency & Accountability eg e-audit , feedback SMSs
Simplification of procedures eg RTI filing, opening bank account
Improved responsiveness eg speedy disbursal of MNREGA funds, fast tracked clearances
Last mile Connectivity
Improved political legitimacy of Governance and strengthening of INDIA as a state –> greater participation
Disadvantages
————————–
Rural urban divide in technological accessibility
Gender divide in technological penetration
Absence of E literacy among citizen especially poor
You have over emphasized E governance aspect. Mention about, AADHAR, Digi locker , Satellite remote sensing for agriculture governance , disaster management by early warning systems, Silica gel , Bharat norms of better engines , Navik, Nuclear prograamme for electricity governance
The digital revolution has impacted the lives of billions of people
across the world, transforming every aspect of society from education,trade to governance.the use of technology in governance has evolved e-governance concept.e governance is touted as major pillar in good governance.
e governance has various advantages such as :
1. increasing the reach of government machinery to the doorsteps of the citizen.
2.Technology makes communication speedier. Internet, Phones, Cell Phones have reduced the time taken in normal communication.
3. 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.
4. keeping the record and access of record is easier.
5.All the information of the Government would be made available on the
internet. The citizens can see the information based on needs this would increase transparency and accountability.
But Electronic governments also consist of certain disadvantage.
1.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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4.there are various discretionary functions which are to be performed the officers and some decisions are to be taken with empathy and emotions into consideration which would be missing in computers and technology.
5.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 government has NeGP, has launched various intitatives such as mygov portal and JAM trinity making governance goodusing technology.
@IASbaba please review .
Ills faced by governance ecosystem in India are as many but major ones is :
– Multilayered bureaucracy – person has to go from pillar to post for routine matters such as birth registration, applying for ration card and other such matters .
– Speed of response – citizen is at the receiving end due to the speed with which the decisions of top level reaches him due to multilayered bureaucracy .
– Uniformity in decision making – it has been observed that for same set of problems – those in power has given different set of solutions – there is no uniformity in decision making – which causes lot of anguish to common man .
– Transparency – with lot of files and lot of officers involved , there is no transparency evident .
– Victimization by govt officials – it has been observed that govt inspectors keep on inspecting same set of factories again and again to meet inspecting targets .
With the use of technology , many of the ills faced by the governance ecosystem may be lessened and provide relief to the common man esp those who are adept and have access to technology . But with low literacy rates and low level of technological penetration in India the benefit group is very small .
The govt. can have faster speed of response , discretion may be removed , removal of middle men , greater transparency in all govt initiatives , better participation of common man in govt programmes by using of technology such as internet , video conferencing , transfer of subsidies , etc.
However , to claim that technology is the panacea for all ills is wrong , as technology can be a enabler, helper , facilitator but its judicious use lies with us only . What is required is attitudinal positive changes in the mindset of all those who are in power and in position to help . We should keep in mind that governance is in place since time immemorial but technology is a new entrant and moreover in ramrajya there was no technology as such .