Need of Upgradation in e-Governance: Leaders Discuss At The 5th BW Businessworld Digital India Summit and Awards

The 5th  BW Businessworld Digital India Summit and Awards began with its first Panel discussion on “Leveraging IT Application for Transforming e-Governance and m-Governance Services.” With moderator, Gaurav Hazra, Senior Director & Head-India Market Development NASSCOM, panel included Ajay Chagti, Special Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of NCT of Delhi, Padma jaiswal, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Puducherry, SunderBalakrishna, Director (ESD), Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Munish Chandan, Principal Consultant, Head-SEMT, Electronic & information Technology Department, Government of Haryana, Rohan Thakur, Director, Department of Information Technology, Government of Himachal and Gagan Rai, Managing Director & CEO, NSDL e-Governance infrastructure Ltd.

The discussion started with the need of digital government in India. To which Jaiswal said, “There is an increase in demand as the consumers have become ambitious in terms of technology.” Rohan mentioned “Government to Government(G-to-G) and Government to Consumers(G-to-C) are the areas to adopt e-Governance to strengthen the digital infrastructure. It can be used for instant certification in the country.” 

It is the beginning of technology adaptation and implementation in government sector. Being a panelist, Ajay Chagti highlighted Cloud, making it priority as it is cost effective. It also helps in continuing businesses and concentrate on data analytics. While talking about importance of mobile technology application, Principal Consultant, Munish gave example of an initiative by Government of Haryana for agricultural development, ‘e-Kharid'.

With IT applications comes cyber security, explaining the role it plays in e-Governance, Gagan Rai said,” Filing income tax, issue of pan card of 4.60 million people requires cyber security which could be assured by 100 per cent encrypted data transmission with need based access, maker-checker & verifier policy and 3- way disaster recover site.”

Challenges, another aspect that comes up while talking about IT applications. Sunder Balakrishna said, “In Andhra Pradesh, we implemented cashless, contactless and paperless technology but the challenges like lack of standardisation, resistance to use online portals, no service provider for localized portal were hindering the initiative,” whereas Rohan talked about, “The issue of digital divide over mobile network and policy alignment are the main challenges in Himachal Pradesh.”

In conclusion, Gaurav Hazra said, “Government must reimagine being digital for the need of citizens, there are challenges around procurement, vendor and contract management. They must overcome in order for technology to go ahead. If we really want to rule on the next generation e-governance, it must be adoptive to masses.