E-governance-Reforming governance through ICT

E governance is a way of providing governance through Information and Communications

Technology (ICT).
ICT is the core of e-governance. It is playing a major role in development and economic growth of
India. Using ICT solutions in governance, the government is able to ensure transparency and
accountability. It provides higher availability of public domain information.

E-governance has been effective in reducing corruption and increasing efficiency due to improved
connectivity.

The concept of e governance started in 1987 when the National Satellite-based

computer network (NICNET) was introduced in the country. It was followed
by the District Information System of the National Informatics Centre
(DISNIC) programme through which district offices in the country were
computerised. State governments provided free software and hardware for
this project.
After this, increased internet connectivity and computerisation, helped in
establishing a number of e-governance initiatives in India.
In the present scenario, the Digital India programme was launched in July 2015 by Prime
Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Since its launch, many key IT and e governance initiatives have seen a
surge in their growth, which has taken the vision of a digitally empowered India to a next level.

Last year, many milestones were achieved by the Government of India. Various schemes, products and
services have been rolled out under the programme to promote e-Governance efforts in India through
digitisation of its various schemes and projects.

JAM

By enabling mobile number portability, the government has tried to enable a system whereby
individuals can be identified by their number. Through the Jan-Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar and Mobile
Connectivity (JAM) trinity, the government has managed to directly transfer virtually endless benefits to
the citizens and helped in removing anomalies and leakage.

 UIDAI-Aadhaar

The unique identification project was conceived as an initiative that would

provide identification for each resident across the country and would be used
primarily as the basis for efficient delivery of welfare services. Aadhaar is
doing the same in the country.
With more than 111 crore uses, the biometric identifier programme Aadhaar —

programme has been praised by World Bank, terming it as the best and the

most sophisticated programme in the world. Aadhaar, provide a unique identification

number which act as a universal proof of identity anywhere in India.

Common Services Centres

As per the data of MeitY, citizen engagement platforms such as MyGov has 19.3 lakh registered users
who provide inputs, suggestions and feedback for improving governance. Not only this, by the end of
2016 more than 1.66 lakh Common Services Centres have been set up by the government where
government and private e-services are provided to the citizens. These centres are the key source of
providing skill development, digital literacy and financial services to rural India.

DigiLocker

The service was launched as an important facility to store crucial documents like voter ID Card, pan card,
the below poverty line card, driving license, education certificates, etc. in the cloud, which is an effective
and secure way to store crucial data. Digi Locker portal is also being used to engage citizens in
governance through a “Discuss”, “Do” and “Disseminate” approach.