Comments on: E-Governance in India – a Status Report http://www.bloggernews.net/110057 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:45:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: derf http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-476432 derf Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:55:15 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-476432 ovkloS re re rerrrreeee gththtt ovkloS re re rerrrreeee gththtt

]]> By: Manohar Yadavatti http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-266305 Manohar Yadavatti Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:14:55 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-266305 The experience of Ranjit Goswami is by and large similar to that of the multi crore EPF subscribers.Apart from the 1351 crores of hard earned money lying in idle deposits,many of them would have forgotten permanently about their PF deposits.Also there are thousands of dubious companies in this country known for deducting PF contribution from the employees salary but not remitting the same to PF office,forget paying their part to the same.A few years ago an so called National News Paper group had to be warned with 'Raid' threat in Bangalore for remitting the PF dues deducted from the employees salary but not paid to the Department.As there is no clear cut guideline over the fixation of the interest on the employees deposit,every year there will be prolonged drama over the same.Probably an anarchic situation over the issue is basically because we have no declared policy on the matter.And unless we have one there are less chances of the situation changing for better. The experience of Ranjit Goswami is by and large similar to that of the multi crore EPF subscribers.Apart from the 1351 crores of hard earned money lying in idle deposits,many of them would have forgotten permanently about their PF deposits.Also there are thousands of dubious companies in this country known for deducting PF contribution from the employees salary but not remitting the same to PF office,forget paying their part to the same.A few years ago an so called National News Paper group had to be warned with ‘Raid’ threat in Bangalore for remitting the PF dues deducted from the employees salary but not paid to the Department.As there is no clear cut guideline over the fixation of the interest on the employees deposit,every year there will be prolonged drama over the same.Probably an anarchic situation over the issue is basically because we have no declared policy on the matter.And unless we have one there are less chances of the situation changing for better.

]]> By: Ajay http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-264090 Ajay Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:49:17 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-264090 Dear Ranjit, As a research scholar, I commend your openness and also the first hand draft of moaning. Yes, I do moan about it (everytime I inch towards my scholarly work that is currently assessing e-governance within the specific context of transparency and accountability). And, there is nothing wrong doing so until we citizen and scholar keep our mind critical about it and question, challenge, and demand the intended outcome of it (egovernance). There is quite a good amount of data out there that is already being used by many to understand the efficacy of these projects. Reasons could be many and some day it would then be showcased or grouped under IT failed projects category. I would be ashamed to see those cases as a literate, knowledgeable IT professional and most importantly as an Indian citizen as a customer and contributor. Enough about moaning on my part but I have much to show empirically soon that will need scholarly verification and collaboration as needed from citizens like you. Ajay Dear Ranjit,
As a research scholar, I commend your openness and also the first hand draft of moaning. Yes, I do moan about it (everytime I inch towards my scholarly work that is currently assessing e-governance within the specific context of transparency and accountability). And, there is nothing wrong doing so until we citizen and scholar keep our mind critical about it and question, challenge, and demand the intended outcome of it (egovernance).
There is quite a good amount of data out there that is already being used by many to understand the efficacy of these projects. Reasons could be many and some day it would then be showcased or grouped under IT failed projects category. I would be ashamed to see those cases as a literate, knowledgeable IT professional and most importantly as an Indian citizen as a customer and contributor.
Enough about moaning on my part but I have much to show empirically soon that will need scholarly verification and collaboration as needed from citizens like you.

Ajay

]]> By: Ranjit Goswami http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-87481 Ranjit Goswami Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:45:09 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-87481 Dear Dr. Misra, I do appreciate your views. And yes are right - to some extent. The momentary frustration of one who one who writes a mail to government officials (after some pain of getting the e-mail ids) only to receive moments later bounced mails from 75% or even more ids definitely played a role in my penning down the article. And that's a reality! I wasted some time in writing that e-mail and felt I should waste a little more time in documenting that for public viewing, and as a feedback for government to know that before e-governance starts; government officials should treat citizens as business treats customers. Looking at your examples of IRCTC (railway booking which also is one of the highest transacted e-commerce sites in India), online banking & land records; let me tell you that only land records qualify as part of e-governance. Rest two comes under e-business and e-commerce where customers get the benefits of e-commerce, they pay for it directly (it's coincidental that Railways in India is a government sector). Please don't mix e-business/e-commerce with e-governance. And that's the focal point of my article - just like business (and e-business) is all about customer focus; governance (and e-governance) is all about citizen focus. And citizens, more so in countries like India aren't expected to make payments to government to get basic amenities (or government services - in above case a response to PF query). Dear Dr. Misra,

I do appreciate your views. And yes are right - to some extent. The momentary frustration of one who one who writes a mail to government officials (after some pain of getting the e-mail ids) only to receive moments later bounced mails from 75% or even more ids definitely played a role in my penning down the article. And that’s a reality! I wasted some time in writing that e-mail and felt I should waste a little more time in documenting that for public viewing, and as a feedback for government to know that before e-governance starts; government officials should treat citizens as business treats customers.

Looking at your examples of IRCTC (railway booking which also is one of the highest transacted e-commerce sites in India), online banking & land records; let me tell you that only land records qualify as part of e-governance. Rest two comes under e-business and e-commerce where customers get the benefits of e-commerce, they pay for it directly (it’s coincidental that Railways in India is a government sector). Please don’t mix e-business/e-commerce with e-governance. And that’s the focal point of my article - just like business (and e-business) is all about customer focus; governance (and e-governance) is all about citizen focus. And citizens, more so in countries like India aren’t expected to make payments to government to get basic amenities (or government services - in above case a response to PF query).

]]> By: Dr D.C.Misra http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86952 Dr D.C.Misra Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:19:44 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86952 I think you have made a very sweeping indictment of e-governance on the basis of just one example (and that too requires to be verified) and erroneously titled it "E-governance in India- A status report." (One swallow does not make a summer!). You have unfairly ignored the many remarkable successes of e-governance in India (for example, railway reservation, online banking, land records, etc.). One expects a balanced approach from a research scholar! I think you have made a very sweeping indictment of e-governance on the basis of just one example (and that too requires to be verified) and erroneously titled it “E-governance in India- A status report.” (One swallow does not make a summer!). You have unfairly ignored the many remarkable successes of e-governance in India (for example, railway reservation, online banking, land records, etc.). One expects a balanced approach from a research scholar!

]]> By: Ranjit Goswami http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86353 Ranjit Goswami Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:33:24 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86353 Well, I am not sure what types of proofs are you looking for. Is it on poor governance, is it on poor implementation of e-governance or is it on how certain lobby groups are minting money with e-government projects delivering practically nothing to the citizens? If it is the 1st one, a look at how poorly RTI (Right to Information) has been implemented. Please understand that transparency and accountability is the root of governance, and e-governance is no different. Enough news-articles in all leading papers showed government apathy to RTI, other than this remaining as another slogan. If it's poor implementation of e-governance; my article itself is a proof. To get it tested, visit EPF yourself (or any other government body that caters to large citizen base); find all PF commissioners' e-mail ids and send a mail and see how many bounce. It effectively means that government is not reachable (and it talks about governance, how funny!). Please note that unlike a phone or even a letter (with 'receipt' copy even), an e-mail can be taken as a record of a communication. Or for that matter try correspondence over e-mail with any overnment officials by e-mails. I would love to hear that you had a nice experience! For the 3rd, take a look at the funding and who all are executing the projects. If you are from this area, think about clear deliverables on how consultants should be paid; and then check for the deliveries from citizens' perspectives. Governance and e-governance is for the citizens, period. Ask few of the leading professors from IITs and IIMs (working on ICTS and its applications in the social sector) why they don't play an active role and their frustrating response will tell you the answer. Honestly I can't speak for a large community and nor should I; however majority gets sidelined. Because they don't lobby...and on the other hand take a look at China and see how Professors their often effectively design various policies and then implement them. Examples like that in India are rare. Well, I am not sure what types of proofs are you looking for. Is it on poor governance, is it on poor implementation of e-governance or is it on how certain lobby groups are minting money with e-government projects delivering practically nothing to the citizens? If it is the 1st one, a look at how poorly RTI (Right to Information) has been implemented. Please understand that transparency and accountability is the root of governance, and e-governance is no different. Enough news-articles in all leading papers showed government apathy to RTI, other than this remaining as another slogan.

If it’s poor implementation of e-governance; my article itself is a proof. To get it tested, visit EPF yourself (or any other government body that caters to large citizen base); find all PF commissioners’ e-mail ids and send a mail and see how many bounce. It effectively means that government is not reachable (and it talks about governance, how funny!). Please note that unlike a phone or even a letter (with ‘receipt’ copy even), an e-mail can be taken as a record of a communication. Or for that matter try correspondence over e-mail with any overnment officials by e-mails. I would love to hear that you had a nice experience!

For the 3rd, take a look at the funding and who all are executing the projects. If you are from this area, think about clear deliverables on how consultants should be paid; and then check for the deliveries from citizens’ perspectives. Governance and e-governance is for the citizens, period. Ask few of the leading professors from IITs and IIMs (working on ICTS and its applications in the social sector) why they don’t play an active role and their frustrating response will tell you the answer. Honestly I can’t speak for a large community and nor should I; however majority gets sidelined. Because they don’t lobby…and on the other hand take a look at China and see how Professors their often effectively design various policies and then implement them. Examples like that in India are rare.

]]> By: sonal http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86335 sonal Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:20:03 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/110057#comment-86335 Can yoy give some documentary or any other kind of proof? Can yoy give some documentary or any other kind of proof?

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