Techno Governance in J&K UT
In the regime of the LG administration, we have seen a tremendous growth of technology permeating every aspect of our lives. Further, there has been a vast improvement in the area of computer and mobile technology.
All this has helped in improving work output and efficiency as never seen before. Given the advantages that technology can provide, much more effort is needed to co-opt technology into our governance. Although there is ample opportunity to do this, somehow, there is reluctance on some part to go for this technology makeover. It must, however, be mentioned here that many initiatives are being taken such as the recent launching of E-procurement, land records, etc. Similarly, the Department of Information Technology (IT) is also making concerted efforts to promote the use of IT in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. While these are welcome developments, a minor portion of our government system remains lukewarm to incorporate such changes. The reasons are not too hard to find. The government sector would prefer to function on the old system of secrecy, red tape, and exclusivity. There is no desire on the part of the bureaucracy and also the lack of will to promote a transparent, accountable, and open government. It is not to say that our bureaucrats are not tech-savvy.
In fact, in their outward persona, all of them are very tech conscious. However, as far as their thinking goes, they prefer to cling on to the old mindset of secrecy and exclusivity. Take for instance the presentation of various departments as evident from a visit to some of the government websites. What one will notice as you surf through the plethora of links is the half-baked effort of the authorities. Most of the department websites/links are there in name only. Time and again directives from the UT chief secretary as well as J&K GAD came from, asking that the respective websites of the government departments should be improved upon. The technology and the funds for upgrading the government websites is not lacking. What is lacking is the will to change.
Our government system has a long way to go in the area of tech-driven governance. More needs to be done in this area.
Unlike our UT, the advancement in the field of technology and governance is evident from the central government. For instance, in a unique move, the Central Vigilance Commission has launched an exclusive website for people to upload videos, and audio and lodge complaints exposing acts of corruption in government departments. Vig-Eye (an acronym for vigilance eye), provides a more user-friendly platform for interface between the CVC and the citizens who may have suffered at the hands of corrupt officials and who want to disclose information about such illegal activities.
The technology includes a simplified process of filing complaints besides giving online access to information. As can be seen, the world over, where fighting graft and improving governance remains a priority, people are adopting various strategies to use technology toward an information-based governance system where there is transparency and accountability. While the UT government’s web portal is a start, the quality of information has to be improved. It is suggested here that the different departments must include the government policies and programmes in greater detail besides the need to keep the information updated. In fact, the UT government for the long term can focus attention on using technology (e-governance) for highlighting government programmes. Using the benefits of information technology, this might be a better and less expensive method to offer services to its citizens while also helping to make our government more transparent and responsive.
