Q.15. To what extent has e-governance made the administrative system more citizen-centric? Can e-governance be made more participative?

E-governance has significantly contributed to making the administrative system more citizen-centric by increasing accessibility, flexibility, and security in government-to-citizen (G2C) transactions. This shift towards e-governance has facilitated a more transparent system where services are delivered based on the needs of the people. The use of technology, including Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental in curbing corruption, increasing transparency, promptly addressing grievances, and enabling citizens to become core participants in governance.

To make e-governance more participative, several strategies can be implemented:

• Enhancing Digital Literacy: Educating and preparing the population for the Information Society and encouraging e-readiness is crucial for participation.
• Developing e-Participation Tools: Tools like e-petitions and e-referenda can collect citizen opinions and remarks to influence policy.
• Inclusion through New Media: Utilizing social networks and mobile communication can bridge the digital divide and include various social categories in policymaking.
• Interconnected Services: Ensuring a minimal package of interconnected and interoperable e-services can facilitate citizen involvement.
• International and National Cooperation: Collaboration at various levels can promote participative governance through shared knowledge and resources.

By adopting these measures, e-governance can evolve into a more participative model, empowering citizens to have a more active role in the democratic process.

Some successful e-governance initiatives in India aimed at improving service delivery and enhancing citizen engagement:-

• MyGov Initiative: A platform for citizen engagement in governance, where users can discuss and contribute to government policies and programs.
• National Scholarships Portal (NSP): A one-stop solution for students to apply for various scholarships provided by the government.
• DigiLocker: A digital locker system that allows citizens to store and access important documents electronically.
• National e-Governance Plan (NeGP): Aims to make all government services accessible to the common man in his locality through common service delivery outlets.
• Bhoomi Project: Online delivery of land records in Karnataka, which has made the management of land records more transparent and accessible.

These initiatives have significantly contributed to streamlining administrative processes, reducing corruption, and making government services more accessible to the public. They represent steps towards a more digitally empowered society.