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| Our state is confronted with big social & economic obstacles to connectivity | | J&K's digital ecosystem | | Rapid evolution of technologies over the past one decade or so has revolutionised every aspect of our lives. We can easily vouch that these commonly known digital technologies have emerged as major changing forces or catalysts that trigger rapid economic growth. We can also say that the integration of technology into the system of living mechanism vis-a-vis our surroundings has resulted in tremendous empowerment of citizens across the physical boundaries.
All of us are well aware that digital technologies are being endlessly used by us in day to day transactions - be it at a retail provision store or a government office. Not only the technology helps us to connect with each other across the globe to interact and share information on issues and concerns faced by us, it also helps us to seek resolution of issues in real time confronting us .
To reap the benefits of digital technologies 'Digital India' movement was recently launched by the prime minister Narendra Modi. The movement comprises various projects worth about Rs one lakh crore with an aim to transform the country into a knowledge economy. The programme promises over five crore jobs once it is complete. The initiative aims to digitally deliver all the essential services to citizens and transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by leveraging IT.
How relevant is this 'Digital India' initiative to J&K state which has remained (and continues to be) engulfed in acute political and weather vagaries since 1947? In fact, the programme is relevant, but the system of governance tailored for this place has never encouraged a suitable pitch for information technology to make sweeping changes across the socio-economic and political structure. We live in an economy where we have witnessed its failure to dole out the needs but inducing the wants; a trouble-filled life where red tape, fraud, corruption and double talk plaguing sectors; criminal negligence towards unending destruction of natural resources which otherwise could have been harnessed to reap economic fortunes. All these impediments have made it almost impossible to make the right projects happen here at the right time.
Currently, the major challenge is how to pull the state out of this inherited mess and how to do it quickly? The answer lies in redesigning the way governance works or more precisely embark upon digital interactions in the whole governance system. It essentially means a digital government with internet as base for efficient and effective delivery of information and services to the people. Our governance system has not bothered to realize the power of internet in economic and social progress. As put by Mark Zuckerberg: "Internet gives voice to the voiceless in our society, and it connects people with vital resources for health and education. I believe everyone in the world deserves access to these opportunities." He even calls it "disempowering societies by lack of connectivity."
In the process of digitising governance, primarily the challenge also lies in providing easy Internet access even in remote areas; empowering common people with the basic knowledge of Internet and related IT services and also initiating web based and online services in every department falling within the ambit of government. It is a matter of relationship between citizens and the government or those in power.
When integration of information technology tools into the governing system was revolutionizing the system in other parts of the country, our state unfortunately missed the bus. In spite of all good technology can do to governance, the state has failed to get hold of e-governance practices even from the basic level particularly in the areas where there is regular interface with public. Mere developing a website of the department was mistaken for digitization of the system.
We have a different economic character with varied regional sub-economic activities. What we need is to invest in the technology of business instead of business of technology, which means people should be guided to utilize IT solutions in their respective trades and economic activities rather than encouraging them to the business of IT.
So let me reiterate, what we need is a sound IT policy with local touch to get rid of traditional and redundant government processes and procedures of governance. We need political and bureaucratic will to digitize governance. We need an IT policy which encourages use of technology in businesses. While taking cue from 'Digital India' programme, re-engineering of government processes and change in business methods is inevitable.
(The views are of the author and not the institution he works for). |
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