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Unlocking E-Government
Potential: Concepts, Cases and Practical
Insights
Unlocking E-Government Potential is based on the analysis of impact of dozens of projects from India and case studies from many developing countries, where e-government has been implemented to address social and economic development challenges. The author has discussed about the strategies that can help in making e-government work for the benefits of the poor. The book, which is in continuation to author’s earlier work, E-Government: From Vision to Implementation, presents empirical results from impact assessment studies done during 2006–08 for nearly 50 e-government projects. Some practical guidelines on the selection of application areas, project design, strategy and implementation have also been provided. The examples and case studies are the results of author’s real-life experiences and his involvement in these projects. During his research, the author focused on the developments in the fields of ICT and e-commerce. The book describes how government took advantage of these technologies, which helped them in delivery of services to its public. The various projects developed were for providing services by the government to citizens (G2C), government to business (G2B) and among government departments (G2G). According to the author, the effective use of IT services can help in increasing efficiency, reducing communication costs, and increasing transparency in the functioning of various departments. Now, several states have taken initiatives in implementing the e-governance projects. One of them is the Karnataka government’s Bhoomi project, which comprises the computerisation of old system of hand-written rural land records. This new system has helped the revenue department in reducing corruption where villagers were forced to give bribe to procure land records, records of right, tenancy and crops (RTCs). Now, on paying a fee of Rs 15, villagers can get a printed copy of the RTC online from the Bhoomi centres. This project is expected to benefit lakhs of villagers across different villages. This is one of the examples of the G2C project that has been implemented successfully. The other projects are registration of urban properties in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, which provide services such as payment of bills, traffic fines, property taxes, getting birth and death certificates through projects such as e-seva. The book also discusses about the advantages and disadvantages of public and private partnership in implementing e-government projects. For this purpose, detailed case studies of 10 e-government projects in several states of India have been provided. There was not a uniform policy for implementing these projects in various states. The author observes that the existence of corruption at different levels was one of the main reasons behind this. These projects were successful only at those places where there was strong political will and where young and energetic administrative officers took initiatives. These e-government applications, if implemented successfully, can help transform the nation and benefit the citizens. The book can be useful for the professionals, academics, and students working in the area of e-governance in India and elsewhere.
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THE high rate of growth
in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) has
changed the development scenario in the developing countries. It has
given them a chance to provide its public better services effectively
and transparently using e-government applications. Now, many countries
are using these applications for increasing efficiency, enhancing
transparency, reducing corruption and collecting more revenue.