E-Governance | Class 12

0

E-Governance

Electronic Governance or E-Governance is a term used to describe the use of information and communication technology (ICT) by the government to improve and streamline its operations and interactions with its constituents, enterprises, and other governmental bodies. Government services are made accessible to citizens through IT through e-governance. Government, citizens, and businesses/interest groups can be identified as the three main target groups in governance concepts.

Components of E-Governance:

  • Online Services: This involves offering information and services from the government online via official websites and portals. Public record requests, permit applications, and tax filing are just a few of the services that citizens have electronic access to.

  • Digital Infrastructure: Building the required data facilities, broadband connectivity, and secure communication infrastructure to facilitate e-governance.

  • Government Websites: The public can obtain resources, services, and information from official government websites. They have to be up-to-date informative, and easy to use.

  • Online databases: Digital archives including a variety of government data sets, such as financial, land, and citizen records. These databases need to be easily accessible, safe, and maintained.

  • Cybersecurity: To protect private information held by citizens and sensitive government data, strong cybersecurity measures are necessary. This covers incident response plans, intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and encryption.

  • Digital Identity and Authentication: Systems for ensuring the identity of users accessing government services online. This may involve biometrics, two-factor authentication, and digital signatures.

  • Digital Payment Systems: Secure and convenient online payment options for various government fees and services.

  • M-Governance: M-Governance, or Mobile Governance, is a subset of E-Governance focused on delivering government services and information through mobile devices. It enhances accessibility and convenience, using mobile technology to strengthen government-citizen relations.

Models of E-Governance:

  • Government-to-Citizens (G2C): This part of the system is concerned with providing services directly to citizens. Examples include the ability to file taxes online, apply for government permissions, and access data on public healthcare. G2C e-governance attempts to improve the usability and accessibility of government services for citizens.

  • Government-to-Business (G2B): E-government also makes it easier for businesses and the government to communicate. Services like business registration, licence renewals, and procurement procedures are all part of it. By streamlining contacts between the government and businesses, G2B e-governance lowers the amount of paperwork and administrative work required.

  • Government-to-Government (G2G): It is essential to improve coordination and communication among various government departments and levels. G2G services can improve collaboration between departments, data sharing, and administrative procedures. It intends to increase data exchange and collaboration across government agencies, decrease off redundancy, and improve administrative efficiency.

  • Government-to-Employees (G2E): G2E e-governance is the use of technology to manage the Employment and administrative procedures for government employees. Payroll, leave management, performance evaluation, and training services are all included. This approach assists in streamlining human resources processes and raising worker satisfaction.

Scopes of E-Governance in Nepal

The potential for e-government in Nepal to enhance public service delivery and governance effectiveness is huge. E-governance has a crucial role to play in modernising government processes as digital technology and connections become more widely available.

Nepal may use e-governance to improve accountability and transparency, which will reduce corruption and increase the public’s trust in the government. Additionally, it can encourage active public engagement by offering online forums for comments and involvement in the decision-making process.

By enabling digital payments and transactions, e-governance can help financial inclusion, especially in rural areas. Additionally, it can encourage digital literacy and education, ensuring that people have the knowledge to use internet resources.

Additionally, e-governance may promote economic expansion by giving existing companies and tech startups the chance to work with the government, e-governance can promote economic growth. Last but not least, it can improve infrastructure project management, ensuring timely and efficient execution. Overall, e-government has the potential to impact Nepal’s governing system, bringing about a more effective, inclusive, and citizen-centered system.

Government policy and steps in implementation of E-Governance

Nepal had been working to implement e-government, and several laws and procedures were in place to advance this cause. The main guidelines and actions taken by the government to implement e-government in Nepal at the time are listed below:

  • National E-Governance Strategy: To direct the creation and implementation of E-Governance projects across various government agencies, Nepal has developed a National E-Governance Strategy.

  • Digital Nepal Framework: The government has unveiled the “Digital Nepal Framework,” which intends to digitise public services, advance digital literacy, and increase internet accessibility.

  • ICT Infrastructure Development: Investments have been made, particularly in rural regions, to improve internet connectivity and increase ICT infrastructure.

  • Online Service Delivery: Development and Maintenance of e-government portals that are easy for citizens and businesses to use, automating workflows to make operations simpler, cut down on paperwork, and improve customer service.

  • Capacity Building: To increase the government workers’ ability to efficiently use E-Government tools, training programmes have been started.

  • Legal Framework: Nepal has been drafting laws and regulations to control cybersecurity, data protection, and e-government.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishment of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the efficacy and efficiency of e-government services, along with frequent reviews to gauge advancement.

These regulations and initiatives demonstrated the government’s dedication to growing e-governance in Nepal with the hopes of improving service provision, enhancing transparency, and enhancing efficiency in providing for the needs of the people.

Government’s Approach to e-governance

In 2019, the Digital Nepal Framework (DNF) was introduced, outlining a comprehensive strategy to enhance the e-governance landscape in Nepal. This framework emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on existing initiatives, such as the government’s Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), National Identity Card program, and the automation of crucial processes like vital registration and land registration. While Nepal has made some headway in this area, there are notable challenges. The E-Government masterplan remains in the draft stage, and concerns persist regarding the seamless interaction of various systems. Moreover, the absence of established regulatory measures has created a need for a clear legal framework to govern e-governance. While there is evidence of progress in developing information and communication technology (ICT) policies, there is room for improvement in terms of political commitment. Factors like political instability, a lack of leadership, commitment, and coordination have emerged as significant barriers to e-Governance implementation in Nepal. The frequent reassignment of government officers and the absence of effective collaboration among government agencies, largely influenced by differing political interests, further compound the challenges.

Sailendra Shrestha
WRITTEN BY

Sailendra Shrestha

Student

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *