Wednesday, March 25, 2009

e-Governance or creation of private monopolies ?

e-Governance or creation of private monopolies ?

In quest for e-governance are we creating private monopolies in some way. In quest for better services through the private sector have we created monopolies which will be the foundation of future problems? A few perceived or real monopolies in e-governance are discussed below:
1. CSC - Regional Monopolies of Private Companies investing in infrastructure
2. Issuance of Passports - TCS
3. MCA21 - TCS
4. e-Biz - Infosys (expected media news infosys is L1)
5. ESIC - Wipro
6. Income Tax - NSDL, UTISL
7. SeMTs - The private consulting organization to be selected in each state
…and many more. Will be glad if someone can suggest some safeguards which the Government has taken to avoid the private sector monopolies.

Regards,
Sameer Sachdeva

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

MHRD resisting NKC recommendations ?

Government of India has established the National Knowledge Commission to bring out reforms in area of education and create a knowledge society.

The NKC headed by Shri. Sam Pitroda has seven members. The other members are Dr. Ashok Ganguly, Dr. P. Balaram, Dr. Deepak Nayar, Dr. Jayanti Ghosh, Shri Nandan Nilekani,Prof. Amitabh Mattoo and Dr. Sujatha Ramdorai. The Commission started functioning from 2nd October 2005 initially for a period of 3 years. The tenure of the commission has been recently extended by Hon.Prime Minister till 31st March, 2009.The core of NKC recommendations relate to institutions of learning, particularly at the higher level. Supplementing this core are recommendations for revitalizing associated sectors like libraries, creating a digital broadband network interconnecting all research and education institutions, and promoting
a vibrant translation industry to create better access for all groups. Recommendations were also made by NKC on enhancing systems of knowledge creation. These included suggestions on creating a better environment for innovation in the country, a robust intellectual property rights regime, incentivizing research in universities, promoting traditional health systems and creating a better framework for delivery of government services to citizens through a citizen centric e-governance programme (extracts from NKC report to nation 2007)

However it was really disturbing to note the observations of Sh. Sam Pitroda recently that various Ministries are just sitting on the recommendations of NKC and no action is being taken. A few of the press coverage on the issue are listed below

1. Ministries resisting our recommendations: NKC
http://www.screenindia.com/news/ministries-resisting-our-recommendations-nkc/263395/
Posted: Jan 20, 2008 at 2321 hrs IST
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has said it is concerned that there is still resistance to new ideas, experimentation, process re-engineering, external interventions, transparency and accountability due to rigid organisational structures. “As a result, the real challenge lies in organisational innovation with new regulatory frameworks, new delivery systems, new processes,” it says.
In a terse statement issued on Saturday after it presented its second report to the Prime Minister, the NKC came down heavily on the resistance shown by Union ministries—from Education, Health, Science and Technology and Law—towards its recommendations when it came to their implementation.

2. Some people are against Education Reforms: Pitroda ?
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/hrd-min-sitting-on-nkcs-recommendations-pitroda/408366/
chennai: The National Knowledge Commission on Thursday accused the human resource ministry of “sitting” on its various recommendations relating to improvement in quality of education in several universities across the country.
“The HRD ministry is sitting on the projects,” Commission chairman Sam Pitroda said when asked about the status of the NKC's recommendations which has advocated setting up of about 1,500 universities in the country to increase the “gross enrolment ratio”.
Asked where actually the problems lie in implementing these proposals, he said, “one is bureaucratical and the other thing is people don't want change. When the country is thinking of a generational change, some people are against it. (Any guesses who is against this change and development ?)

3. Quality education still a far cry: Pitroda
Mar 19 2009, 2205 hrs IST , New Delhi Bookmark/Search this post with:
http://www.mydigitalfc.com/education/quality-education-still-a-far-cry-pitroda-721
India is still a long way away before taking any pride in its quality of education, the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) said in its 240-page final report submitted to the government on Thursday. “I may not be lucky to see the results of the recommendations … it will take a long time to materialise,” said Sam Pitroda, chairman, NKC, which was set up in 2006 as part of the vision of prime minster Manmohan Singh. It was entrusted with the responsibility of recommending measures to meet the challenges of the country.

4. NKC questions appointment of VCs of new central universities
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/527605/National/1/20/1
New Delhi, Mar 19 The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) today took exception to the way the government appointed Vice Chancellors for 15 new Central Universities in the country."We do not agree with the way vice chancellors have been appointed. We have also expressed concern over certain provisions of the Central Universities Bill,"NKC chairman Sam Pitroda told reporters here. The government on February 28 appointed vice chancellors for 15 new central universities which have been created under the Central Universities Bill 2009.The NKC had earlier held that the Central Universities Bill 2008 vests"overwhelming control"with the government and demanded reformulation of the legislation with provision of more autonomy for the institutions.

It is quiet evident that nothing is happening at the ground level on the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission. It is said that Ministers within the current Government are resisting the reforms in education sector and creating a structure which is giving overwhelming powers to the Government.

Actions Speak Louder than Words...

regards,

Sameer Sachdeva
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/vision-india/

Saturday, March 21, 2009

CBMC - Good Intentions Faulty Implementation ?

CBMC - Good Intentions Faulty Implementation ?

The Planning Commission in March 2005 in consultation with Department of Information Technology brought out the Guidelines for Capacity Building and Institutional Framework for e-Governance under NeGP. These are the few extracts from the document shared for the purpose reference of all:

1. "Keeping in view the enormous task of driving NeGP in line with the overall spirit of service orientation most states are inadequately equipped in terms of personnel and the skill-sets needed to handle the host of issues involved. Many states do not even have an IT/e-Government department or have a skeletal department that is not designed to deal with the complexity of issues involved. For NeGP to achieve its goals, this is the first gap that needs to be addressed.To facilitate the State administration and to carry out the groundwork for the above, prepare project proposals, implement the projects and oversee O&M thereafter, adequate support through a dedicated, professional team need to be in place with appropriate skill-sets and aptitude at two levels:
a. Programme level (i.e. at State Level)
b. Project level (i.e. at Department Level)"

2. "It is important to note that this Capacity Building is for building an internal capacity of the Government. The internal capacity addresses tasks like – preparation of scope of work, preparing RFPs,making internal note-sheets for getting approvals/sanctions, selection of external agencies, managing and getting the best out of external agencies, internalising the outputs/reports of the external agencies, quality assurance, doing cost-benefit analysis amongst various technological and other policy options etc. It should be noted that this team will also directly handle file work, examination of issues etc. on file and no separate examination by a conventional secretariat set up thereafter is envisaged. This team will work directly under the designated Secretary (typically IT Secretary) of the State Government and subject to his overall guidance and administrative control."

3. "Capacity Building by the State Governments should be undertaken through an appropriate
combination of the following two options :
a . From sources present within the Government or PSUs or any state agency or central agency, with required background and experience. In such cases, where required, posts may be created in the concerned department or State Nodal Organisation identified as a vehicle for setting up the capacity and personnel would be taken on deputation. For domain expertise in PeMT, re-employment of retired personnel could also be considered, whenever appropriate.
b. From outside the Government set-up - by engaging Consulting agencies having requisite skill sets mentioned in this document and eligibility criteria, as mentioned in Annexure II. The consulting agencies are required to provide the skilled manpower having the skills, experience and expertise specified. While doing so, the state would follow appropriate selection process. Alternatively the state could avail of the advice and assistance of NISG to undertake this task on their behalf. However such support would be under the overall direction of the State Government. Additionally, if considered necessary and with the concurrence of Planning Commission & DIT, contracts could also be entered into with individuals."

4. "Both in SeMT & PeMT, where a consulting agency is selected for providing the services, due care should be taken to avoid situations of conflict of interests – perceived or real."


Now it is learnt that after four years (March 2005 to March 2009) Department of Information Technology, GOI is all set to form SeMTs and PeMTs in all States. It is learnt that DIT, GOI has shortlisted consulting organizations like ILFS, Wipro, PWC & 3i and reffered the names of these consultanting Agencies to the States for their appointment.

However there are following issues in the above outsourcing of SeMTs:

1. The formation of SeMTs as observed by the Planning Commission was for building the internal capacities of the Government. Planning Commission has categorically observed that the SeMT/ PeMT teams in States will directly handle file work, examination of issues etc. on file and no separate examination by a conventional secretariat set up thereafter is envisaged. In such a case will the ousourced agencies as recommended by DIT be equally liable under Officials secret act, RTI Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, Audit and other statutory requirements as are applicable to a Government Officer.

2. Planning Commission has also observed that the SeMTs have to be right mix of people on deputation, re-employment after retirement, fresh employment through creation of Posts in Department, employment through nodal IT agency of the State, Manpower through NISG and outsourced agencies. However it is not clear that why Department of Information Technology has just recommended an outsourced model ?

3. Further the Planning Commission has also observed that there should be no conflict of interest percieved or real ( pl. notice the word percieved) where a consultancy organization is selected. However it is a matter of record that IL&FS is the NLSA for CSC project, then in case it forms a SeMT in any state the team will monitor implementation of its own project (CSC in this case) through SeMT. Further all other three consultants i.e. Wipro, 3i and PWC are implementing projects in almost majority of the states. Does that mean that these consultanting organizations will quit from those projects in case they form a SeMT in that State ? or do we land up again in a position of conflict of interest where the SeMTs formed by these consultanting organization will monitor their own work in the various projects.

It is therefore suggested that in order to avoid the conflict of interest the recruitment for SeMTs/ PeMTs may happen through NISG or State IT agencies only. In the long run the Government of India may seriously debate the creation of Indian IT Services in consultantion with States .

Thanks and regards,

Sameer Sachdeva

Friday, March 20, 2009

Common Service Centers (CSCs) - an update

There are claims that the CSC scheme of current Government will create 400,000 jobs. After reading the press coverage I thought I will look into the details of the above scheme and therefore I thought I will refer to the most authentic source of information. There was very little or no information available on the MIT website (graphics of current status of implementation). Therefore I shifted to another authentic source which is the Press Information Bureau or the PIB. I could lay a number of Press releases by Department of Information Technology. A target of 110,000 CSC (100,000 rural and 10,000 urban) which was to be achieved by end of 2007 has been now shifted to March 2010 and the 10,000 urban CSC has been left out, it appears. I really have doubts when the scheme will be implemented and when the said jobs will be created. This is just the analysis of one Mission Mode Project, if time permits I will send the analysis of other projects . (and I have as yet not discussed the proposal of Panchayati Raj Ministry on Village Knowledge Centres . Here is a brief analysis of CSC project:
1. In Oct’ 2004 the then IT minister mentioned that DIT is considering a CSC scheme
2. In Dec’2004 the same consideration was mentioned in the year end review
3. In the whole year 2005 I could not lay my hands on any press release on the CSC scheme (there are things that may not meet even my eye  )
4. In Feb’2006 plan to establish 110000 CSC (one lakh rural and 10000 urban) to be implemented by year 2007
5. In Sept 2006 – Cabinet Approves the Scheme for 100000 rural CSC (urban CSC forgotten? ) ; The date for implementation shifted to March 2008 (from end of year 2007)
6. In Dec 2006 – Proposals of 11 states approved
7. In Sept’ 2007 – Broadband connectivity to 1 lac CSC proposed
8. In Dec’ 2007 – implementation under 26 states and UTs
9. In June’08 - 8000 CSC established; 60000 to be established by March’09 (rest when ?)
10. In Oct’ 08 – implementation date shifted to July’ 09
11. In Oct’08 – SDC which will support CSC to be completed by Dec’09 / March 2010
12. In Oct’08 – Total number of CSC established 17,775
13. In Nov’08 – Implementation date shifted to 2nd quarter of 2009
14. February ‘2009 – 35000 CSC by March’09; implementation target March 2010


References:

Wednesday, October 20, 2004
SWAN policy announced
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=4481
Shri Maran said that DIT is currently considering various options for facilitating establishment of Common Services Centres (CSC) across the country particularly in rural areas.

Thursday, December 30, 2004
YEAR END REVIEW 2004 - MINISTRY OF COMMUNCATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=6161
Various options for facilitating establishment of Common Services Centres (CSC) across the country particularly in rural areas being considered

Friday, February 17, 2006
Common Services Centers across India
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=15582
Highlights
1. A Scheme to build an enabling environment for establishment of 110,000+ Common Services Centres
2. Target - by the year 2007.
3. Services - Government Services, Education, Entertainment, Telemedicine, Information Exchange, Market Linkages, Vocational Training, Micro-credit,
4. 100,000 Rural CSC and 10,000 Urban CSC (for financial incentive to SCAs)
5. Model - VLE, SCA, SDA and NLSA
6. Financial Model -
a. Revenue support based on delivery of e-Government Services (first 4 years) as against a Capital Subsidy support.
b. one-time cost of setting up the infrastructure to be shared between SCA and VLE
c. NLSA to underwrite the funds which need to be leased through market borrowings
d. No Government support for Urban CSC



Sep 21 2006
Union Cabinet approves setting up of 100,000 rural Common Services Centres
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=20852
Highlights
1. Union Cabinet approval for setting up of 100,000 rural Common Services Centers (CSC)
2. Total cost - Rs. 5742 crore ; GOI - Rs. 856 crore, State Governments - Rs 793 crore ; Private Sector - Rs 4093 crore
3. The CSCs are proposed to be rolled out in 18 months i.e. by March 2008.
4. Services to be offered -
a.high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data content and services, in the areas of e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment as well as other private services.
b. Web-enabled e-governance services in rural areas, including application forms, certificates, and utility payments such as electricity, telephone and water bills
c. Remote consulting for healthcare, e-enabled vocational training, market and supply chain linkages, rural BPO, agricultural price and weather information etc.
5. 3-tier structure
CSC operator (called Village Level Entrepreneur or VLE);
the Service Centre Agency (SCA) - responsible for a block of 200-500 CSCs;
State Designated Agency (SDA) identified by the State Government
6. Jobs - one lakh direct jobs/ 2-3 lakh indirect jobs.

Friday, December 22, 2006
NeGP approved to establish 100,000 CSC
http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=23586
100,000 Rural and 10,000 Urban CSC
CSC proposals from 11 states have been approved for implementation and Rs. 109.71 crore, which is 25% of the approved outlay share of DIT, has been released to these states

Thursday, March 01, 2007
20 Million broadband connections by the Year 2010
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=25258
Broadband connectivity to one lakh Community Service Centers (CSC) covering 20000 CSCs by ADSL by September 2007

Wednesday, December 05, 2007
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION THECHNOLOGY MEETS
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=33726
Participants - Sh. D.Raja, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve, Vanlalzawma, Sanat Kumar Mandal, Sita Ram Yadav, Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh, Datta Meghe, Prof.Ram Deo Bhandari.
Highlights on CSC
1. To establish 100,000 rural kiosks across the country
2. Actual quantum of financial support to the private entities would be determined through a competitive process.
3. Under implementation and proposals of 26 States and UTs have been sanctioned

Thursday, June 26, 2008
Swan to provide connectivity to government offices
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=39821
More than 8,000 of these kiosks have already been established through a PPP model and it is expected that more than 60,000 CSCs would be established before the end of this financial year (March 2009 )

Tuesday, October 07, 2008
18000 IT-Enabled Service Centers set up in rural areas
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=43455
1.About 18,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been set up
2. over 1 lakh scheduled by July next year
3. Roll Out Completed in Jharkhand and Haryana
4. The other states where a number of CSCs have already become operational are West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Orissa, Meghalaya and Tripura. In several states, agreements have already been signed with the selected Service Centre Agencies (SCAs) for setting up of about 76,000 CSCs. A maximum of 17,909 CSCs are proposed in Uttar Pradesh followed by 9,232 in Madhya Pradesh and 8558 in Orissa. 8,463 CSCs are to come up in Bihar and 6,626 in Rajasthan.


Friday, October 17, 2008
DIT approves state data centres in 27 states
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=43825
Through State Data Centres, the Government seeks to create a common secure IT infrastructure to host state level e-Governance applications/Data to enable seamless delivery of Government to Government (G2G), Government to Citizen (G2C) and Government to Business (G2B) services. The entire exercise is expected to be completed by December 2009/March 2010.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Progress in e-Governance Projects - Lok Sabha
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=43942
CSC Scheme
Total No. of States/ UTs Sanctioned 27
Total No of CSC in these States / UTs 108363
Total Amount Sanctioned 1603.08 Cr
Total amount Released (DIT Share) 198.03 Cr
No. of CSCs Set -up 17,775

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
INITIATIVES IN THE IT SECTOR
http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=45057
CSC RFPs have been issued for 25 States /UTs. Of these, 23 States / UTs have completed the Service Centre Agency (SCA) selection process covering 1,02,827 CSCs. Of these 23 States / UTs, 21 States have signed the MSA with the selected SCA uptil October, 2008 covering 1,01,682 CSCs. As of October, 2008, a total of 20,558 CSCs have been rolled out in 14 States. In the remaining States UTs, action is also progressing well. The implementation of this massive project, which is unprecedented globally, is likely to be completed by end of 2nd quarter of 2009.

Friday, February 20, 2009
35000 IT-ENABLED SERVICE CENTRES GET OPERATIONAL BY NEXT MONTH
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=47733
1. Government is planning to set up by March 2010, as many as 25195 Centres have already been set up with another 10000 in the pipeline which would become operational by the end of this March
2. By the end of 2008, RFPs (Request For Proposals) have been issued by 25 States for 1,06,275 CSCs and Master Service Agreements have been signed for 1,02,851 Centres in 23 States. Significantly, the states of Haryana, Jharkhand and Sikkim have completed 100 per cent roll out.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

From Reforms to Innovation

,From Reforms to Innovation
"The first Department to Change within Government of India should be Department of Administrative Re-forms” *
--- A contributor at yahoo group India-egov
In an era when governments worldwide are focusing on Ministry of Future and Department of Innovation, India still is trying to reform the Government. The word reform itself brings a negative connotation. A Department where some change may be initiated by DAR & PG will develop a resistance because the employees will feel that there is something wrong in my Department that is why Government of India is reforming it. Whereas innovation creates positive energy and all employees will be enthusiastic that out of all Departments, Government of India has selected their Department for innovation. Even the word Process Re-engineering brings a negative connotation as the employees will start questioning as to what is wrong in our processes that Government wants to change it. If you want to change the Government, implement successful e-Governance than the right words are innovation and creativity and not reforms or re-engineering.
The Department of Administrative Reforms exists to solve yesterday’s problems, rather than capitalizing on to-day’s opportunities to effectively confronts the issues of tomorrow.
But as Gandhiji said, “Be the Change, you want to see in the world”. The Department of Administrative Reforms have to sphere-head reforms within itself in order to be-come a change agent for other Departments. A brief strat-egy to lead this change is as suggested:
• Separate Public Grievances from Reforms
• Rename the Department as Ministry of Innovation.
• Vision for Department – Innovation in Governance
• Hiring of Creativity, Program Management and Process experts
• Re-visit the Manual of Office Procedures (MOP)
• Identify officers responsible for each Ministry and State
• Constitute a high level committee of Secretaries on Innovation in Government headed by Cabinet Secretary
• Constitute Institutional Framework for Innovation in Government (like NISG for e-Governance)
• Develop a National Innovation Plan (NIP)
• Identify e-Governance Projects beyond Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)
• Do a ABC analysis of Grievance received by Citizen and based on same prioritize Departments for Inno-vation
• Restructure Department (instead of divisions like e-Governance the Department should have a process innovation division)
• Department should not foray functional areas of other Departments (like IT implementation is a func-tion of DIT) and restrict to improvements in Gov-ernment Process.
• Have a Cabinet Minister In charge of Innovation Ministry
• Bring out necessary law / amendments empowering MOI (Ministry of Innovation) to bring process im-provements
• Make a database of National and International Best Practices
• Constitute an institute for capacity building in Gov-ernment Process Improvement
• Provide Creative environment within Department for officers to foster change
• Recognize Change Agents
• Identify Change Sponsors in each Department
• Sponsor Students for Process Study in various De-partments
• To have a Department of Future (for visualizing pol-icy interventions for future scenario) within Ministry of Innovation
• To have a Department of Creativity within Ministry of Innovation
• To implement paperless office initiative in Depart-ment
• Choose experts as Advisors (like in planning Com-mission)
• The Department should also attempt to integrate / re-group certain Departments which have a common agenda. The Departments must be grouped from ser-vices to citizen prospective and not Government pro-spective
• The Department must also build on internal capaci-ties for Change.
• The Department must breakaway from the hierarchical function of DS, Director, JS, AS, Secretary but should attempt to establish a flat organization like the corporate world
• The Department must benchmark international Gov-ernments and Businesses to improve.
• The focus of Department should shift from rules to outcomes.

BJP's IT Vision - An Analysis

At the outset I wish to compliment the Key opposition party of India to give an IT Vision for India. Infect if look back the foundations of a planned approach to Information Technology started with the National IT Action Plan formulated by a committee headed by Sh. Jaswant Singh. The next step was formation of the Ministry of Information Technology (though by just changing the name of Department of Electronics to Ministry of Information Technology was not of much help). The IT Act as brought by Sh. Pramod Mahajan within a short time was an achievement which the BJP IT Vision document has ignored as well. And we all know the time taken and the citizen feedback (if any) taken about the Amendments to IT Act. The next achievement was the conceptualization of the National e-Governance Action Plan (NeGAP now renamed NeGP) under the then IT minister Sh. Arun Shourie. Another achievement of the same was formation of the Empowered committee with special reference to e-Governance under the then Deputy PM, Sh. Advani. The IT vision document now proposed will go a long way for progress of e-Governance in India. I presume the IT Vision document is a discussion document and the party will definitely consider the feedback of the e-Gov community before implementing the same. I therefore am presenting in brief my views on the document:
1. NeGP – Even the website for National e-Governance Plan has not yet been formed, this despite the full page advertisements in major national dailies about the National e-Governance Plan with the website www.negp.gov.in. I myself got the domain registered two and half years ago. The current domain is still a forward to the link http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=115
2. MNIC – I do agree with the Vision Document on the website http://mnic.nic.in which despite the pilot project under implementation since November’03 is still under construction. I would further like to bring to the notice that the link http://www.mit.gov.in/default.aspx?id=859 about the MNIC project gives a conflicting view about two projects UiD and MNIC. It further says that an empowered group of Ministers is formed to oversee the implementation of the project and resolve issues of UID and MNIC. Information about the Unique Identification Authority of India is also missing from the DIT link. This despite that the link has been validated on 17th March'09. I think the first step in the above regard should be clarify that we need Unique ID or National ID or Multipurpose National Identity Card. The UID is to give a unique identity to people. National Id is about giving Identification to Citizens of India and MNIC is focused on elimination of multiple IDs. I think for success of e-Governance in India, MNIC is the way out (though I may be wrong). We have to probably discuss and debate the various citizen id cards that have to be eliminated by MNIC. I request the members of the forum to give their feedback on same. The figure of coverage under MNIC on page 10 is not conveying much. Though the BJP vision document talks about Citizenship Regulatory Authority of India (CRAI),National Register of Citizenship (NRC), Citizen Identification Number (CIN) but it is silent on issues of privacy of Citizen information and the security issues related to same. I think the same have to be addressed at equal importance. I think the next logical step after The IT Act, the RTI Act (FOIA Act renamed) is the Privacy Act for Citizens followed by an e-Governance Act. With regards to MNIC project, I will like to risk at least my single vote for the promise that the MNIC project will be implemented within three years.
3. The Digital Highways or the broadband with 2 mps link with 1:1 connection ratio is dream of every web enabled individual. However the more important is that the power of internet must reach all individuals. The party must also take a view on multiple SWANs (State Wide Area Networks) which have been achieved with different PPP Players without any application. The front end or the 100,000 CSCs appears to be another PPP which has lead to no results at ground level, as the backend for delivery is still not there. The various delays in the establishment of digital infrastructure i.e. SWAN, SDC and CSC is also a key cause of concern. An analysis is must to understand the impact assessment of all the three initiatives. The idea of converting the Post Offices to Multi-service outlets and conversion of telephone booths to internet kiosks is a welcome move which will help avoid duplication of resources.
4. The Vision Document also talks of a paperless office. The e-Disha or the paperless office project as already implemented by Government of India appears to have shown no impact. Even the SKIMS / SMARTgov project of Government of AP (only the name changed) has also seen a downward trend in its implementation. It is said that Sh. Chandrababu Naidu refused to clear various files unless they came through the route of paperless office and now the ground situation can be told only by officials in AP Government. In case of Government of India (after failure of e-DIsha) a less paper office(e-Office) initiative is again getting conceptualized. But my question is why not was it conceptualized in the first place and what was the haste to give the project without any conceptualization. The new Government must take learning from the pitfalls of the less paper office project. I understand even in the Department of Information Technology the Green Sheets move till date, why cannot we have a paperless office in DIT at-least or the minimum in the e-Governance Programme Management Unit (EGPMU)
5. The promise of 1.2 Crores IT enabled jobs in rural sector though just looks like a vision statement. If the party would have substantiated the same with the data of jobs created in the party ruled states, the same would have sounded more authentic. However the intent is very noble. The party may also propose a law to protect the employees of IT/ ITeS companies from pink slips at the drop of hat. While promoting globalization we must see the future of the employees as well. I think the definition of labor under the Industrial Disputes Act needs to be reviewed to include the employees of IT/ ITeS sector.
6. The idea of DTI (Duty to Inform) is really path-breaking thought. But the implementation of RTI is also not achieved in proper form in the current Government. I will not go beyond the Department of ARPG (Department under the nodal Ministry for implementation of RTI Act) and the hurdles one faces to request / and get information from there. I surely can write a paper on how to get information from the said department. (infect now I have already tried my hands with CAG and CVC and plan to test the same with DITs in all states). I must compliment the office of CVC which is handling all requests to information in a professional way. I think the credit goes to the Record Management System in CVC which is still missing across various other Departments. I do not know if Government Officials heard of a project called Training on Record Management under the World Bank Project. I think the party may also look into the replication of Bihar’s project on RTI through e-governance across India.
7. The leaky pipe-line concept is well appreciated. But there as well the Action Speaks louder than words. We have to have an institutional mechanism to check the leaks in the system. I think even planning commission may not have a list of various schemes implemented by various agencies of Centre, State and Local Government delivered through the District Administration. I am told that a complete book has already been written which lists the various schemes of the Government. I think a “Scheme Management System” is the need of the hour to ensure that the benefits reach the people for whom they were planned for and that no one gets a double benefit.
8. The Advaniji’s dream of Swaraj to Su-raj has to detailed further. The same has to include Administrative Reforms (atleast reforms in Department of Administrative Reforms, GOI) , Electoral Reforms (negative voting / right of re-call), Education Reforms, Economic Reforms, Legal Reforms (nothing has been done on the outdated laws identified by the previous Government), Institutional reforms, Sectoral Reforms – health, agriculture, education. (Education and Health are not even part of NeGP). The idea of a 24 * 7 line for speaking to the Member parliament is a welcome move, but the real challenge will be its implementation and take-away. (How many MPs will respond to such calls ?)
9. I may not be able to comment on e-Gram project as I have not seen its implementation/ achievement. Request if someone from Gujarat may bring that insight.
10. The standardization of open source & open standards and use of open source operating system in the 10000 laptops is clearly mentioned in document, but I could not see that the Vision Document anywhere mentions that the party is against commercial software anywhere. Promotion of one technology is fine but I could not see anything related to banning of commercial software anywhere contrary to claims in many forums and press releases. Standards body on lines of BIS is a long awaited move. I suggest that such a body should also validate the content on various Government Websites for its accuracy and up-dating.
11. The e-Banking project as mentioned by the Vision Document is also crucial. There is no update of the Banking / Insurance Mission Mode Project by the current Government available. Trust they are in some process of implementation/ Conceptualization.
12. Under the e-Development initiative a comprehensive project for Agriculture needs to be conceptualized. There are multiple projects which are getting implemented but the integration of these projects is crucial. The National Skill Development Mission, Green Technology, commitment to Millennium Development Goals all are steps in right direction, but it will help if the focus of the party and its strategy is clarified further (As in case of MNIC it is available)
13. The detailing in case of e-education is impressive (Core2Duo processor with 2 GB Ram  ). We surely need web based open source learning, IT enabled teaching, knowledge networks between institutions and a national repository of Best Lectures. Infect a National Mission Mode Project on Education as part of the NeGP should also be introduced. The promotion of Software in all 22 official languages will help the non English speaking population. (Trust me people in interiors like Bhatinda in Punjab where I was requested to make my presentation in Punjabi will really benefit from such a move. IT will reach beyond the English speaking population. )
14. As in case of education, health also needs to be included under the National e-Governance Plan as a Mission mode project. The ideas of connecting the PHC to telemedicine project, computerization of health records, Mobile diagnostic vans are very encouraging idea. I think beyond this the party may also look into providing inclusive opportunities in education, healthcare and employment for people with visible or invisible disability.
15. The concept of e-records appears to very comprehensive (official records of government, land / property records, citizen records, manuscripts records, geographic records). However the party must ensure that digitization does not mean just scanning of documents. The data needs to be captured in digital form and then converted into usable information, scanned documents just means documents dumped in hard-disks and therefore are of limited use. The two MMPs Passports and MCA21 are focusing just on scanning of documents. The focus must be widened now. The use of GIS for planning is a welcome and much awaited move.
16. With regards to e-Justice we first need a process reform in Judicial System. AS we all know justice delayed is justice denied. The party must ensure reforms for speedy justice whether with or without computerization. However the current initiatives are clearly based on automation of processes and digitization of records with very little focus on comprehensive process reforms. A comprehensive Mission Mode Project on e-Justice should be evolved which links judiciary with investigating agencies, updates MNIC in case of conviction, allow various authorities like RPOs, Employers etc to have a background check online. And to link various regulatory agencies and NCRB for data records of criminals. An effort to eliminate the outdated laws is also important.
17. The use of IT for a disaster management is a must. Even the National disaster helpline is currently accessible only in Delhi (with code 011) and the definition of Disaster is very limited. The concept of Public safety answering points and national unique number in emergency is welcome and long awaited.
18. National Cyber Security Plan appears to be comprehensive. However the party may also think of proposing the Cyber Crime as a Centre Subject may be thought of, as the cyber space has no state, national or international boundaries and various police stations in far flung areas may not be able to train their manpower. Let the Central Cyber Police station look into all cases of cyber crime and implementation of IT Act.
19. The concept of Digital Sovereignty is very important and one country should not dominate the names of various websites.
20. Despite a comprehensive nature of the IT Vision document, the same lacks on following:
a. Integrated Government
b. View point on establishment of Indian IT services (A separate cadre)
c. Revisiting of NeGP
d. Creation of a repository of e-Governance initiatives
e. Issues on Privacy
f. Issues on Freedom of Expression Online
g. National e-Governance Act
h. Institutional Framework for implementation of e-governance (SeMTs / PMUs / NEGA etc ??)
i. Capacity Building of Government for e-Governance
j. Reality check on e-governance so far
k. To check corruption in name of e-Governance
l. Issues of interoperability
m. Multiplicity of Front End Centres


I hope the party includes the above issues in its refined drafts. Kindly apologize me for cross posting as I am sharing the e-mail through india-egov, bytesforall and india-gii.