Contents

Introduction to the Project.......................................................................................... 2

e-Governance and its challenges in an democracy....................................................2
Information System and its role in e-governance.......................................................2
Federal structure of governance in the Indian constitution........................................2
Take aways................................................................................................................. 2
Information system as a platform for e-governance................................................2
In context of a federation..................................................................................... 2
In context of capitalism........................................................................................ 2
In context of socialism......................................................................................... 2
In context of a Republic........................................................................................ 2
In context of Independence..................................................................................2
References and bibliography...................................................................................... 2
Appendix.................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction

The term governance means governing or controlling, therefore e-governance means

governing through electronic means. This is done by the application of Information
systems to provide efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in the
governing processes. All this is achieved through the storage of data online, having all
citizens taking part in government activities through digital devices in a timely manner.

e-governance will also play a vital role in both the urban and rural population. With both
having their own problems and having their own objectives for implementing for
application of e-governance such as uplifting the poorer sections of society through
different government services or simplifying day to day activities for the other sections of
society.

There are four phases of e-governance which shows the maturity of e-governance(refer
appendix 1), information phase, interaction phase, transaction phase and transformation
phase. They show the level where e-governance is presently at, from simply being
present without much interaction with citizens to a stage where not only is payment
being done online but there will also be a change to a new online platform for working.

There are different strategies of implementing e-governance like popularizing e-

governance, Center-State partnership, Online information availability, etc. There are
already various areas where e-governance is being applied, like in the banking industry,
e-businesses, posts, agriculture production assessment. There is still more scope for its
application.

This project was done on the role Information Systems will play in e-governance. It also
talks about the challenges faced by e-governance in a democracy. The report brings to
light the platform that Information Systems will have in e-governance for various forms
of governments.

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The different types of e-governance i.e., Government to Customer, Government to
Business, Government to Employee and Government to Government were analyzed,
describing their roles and how they benefit the parties involved.

e-governance is still in its initial stages and with developments in technology the future
seems bright especially with the various opportunities that are present. The benefits
outweigh the drawbacks which should be why every form of government should look to
pursue e-governance. The issues and challenges faced right now are nothing but a
small hindrance for a bigger picture.

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e-Governance and its challenges in an democracy

e-governance can be seen both as democratic and undemocratic because some of their
features have the ability to both help as well as hinder the citizens.

The biggest challenge facing e-governance in a democracy is the digital divide. Even
people in developed countries like the United States of America face this problem. Due
to the financial, technical and accessibility constraints, not everyone would be able to
avail the services of e-governance. The democratic process would fail if only a selected
few, who have the technical knowhow, are able to voice their opinions.

There is no compatible infrastructure which would be able to connect all the

departments involved. Any transition to an electronic platform would require the proper
hardware and software to be provided to employees for successfully running their
operations. Using the most updated equipment would require less upgrading even when
they become outdated, however training and purchasing such equipment would require
a large investment.

Privacy is also an important issue. With cyber-attacks being more frequent, personal
information being stored online becomes vulnerable and may pose as an easy target to
a hacker. Concerns over the privacy of their lives as well as the confidentiality of
personal data is a reason why many citizens are still apprehensive about e-governance.
Any data should be protected against unauthorized access.

There are also organizational issues that will be faced by governments shifting to e-
governance. A successful e-governance requires the support of the top management. If
the leaders accept a certain policy, it acts as a driving force for gaining support from the
masses. Shifting to e-governance will require employees who have been accustomed to
working in particular way change to a whole new environment. Many of them will see
this as a threat to their jobs, therefore there will be resistance among them to the
change.

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Developing countries will face a financial problem when implementing e-governance.
Investments will be needed when acquiring new equipment, training of employees,
discarding of the old materials and convincing citizens through educating them about
the benefits that e-governance will bring to them.

Continual maintenance of the systems will be needed as well as being up to date with
security software in the form of firewalls preventing hackers from accessing sensitive
material.

A country like India will face a different set of problems. With hundreds of languages
spoken across the country, the diversity becomes a big problem. It becomes difficult to
integrate the local and central government services, and with a large population size
where majority of whom are still IT illiterate, it would be difficult to win their trust.

Not all barriers are technical, some of the biggest ones are cultural, factors like the
social structure of the society, education level, religion, political followings.

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Information System and its role in e-governance

Information systems is an important part of growth and development of a country.

Information systems will act as a medium between a government and its citizen. E-
governance is the application of the information system for delivering services to its
people.

Information Systems would also play a vital role in the four basic types of e-governance:

Government to Citizen
The information systems would be able to provide a variety of information and
communication to the citizens which would strengthen the relationship between a
government and its citizens. Services like payment, instant opinion voting, applying for
grants etc can all be done online making it more convenient for both parties involved

Government to Employees
Information systems would provide tools for helping employees maintain communication
with the government. It also acts as a simple and easy way of storing and sharing of
information between colleagues. It will eventually lead to a paperless future which would
reducing space and increasing convenience with services such as e-payroll, bills and
records.

Government to Government
Information systems will play a key role here as it would help the government to keep up
with demands of itself and the citizens. It would simplify governance for government,
citizens and businesses. It would provide a better record keeping as there will be a
reduction of paper usage, staffing cost will become less there reducing operating time
and increasing the efficiency of the government.

Government to Business
Reduction in difficulties of doing business, providing immediate information and
enabling digital communication for doing e-business will all be a direct consequence of
information systems being applied. Electronic trading saves time as compared to a
human doing business, there will be no more waiting time either as everything can be

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done online. With more technology being used there will be less workers needed
therefore reducing business cost.

In third world countries where a significant population is still living in poverty, information
systems is the way forward in helping in poverty alleviation and eventually poverty
eradication. E-governance through information systems is a way to achieve good
governance as it improves transparency and develops accountability. It reduces
bureaucracy and improves communication. Citizens become empowered as accessing
information can be done anywhere and anytime.

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Federal structure of governance in the Indian constitution
Indian constitution provides for a federal structure of governance wherein there are two
governmentsthe national or federal government and the government of each
component state. So, India has a Central and State Government so there is a clear
division of powers. The States and the Centre are required to enact and legislate within
their sphere of activity and none can violate its limits or encroach upon the sphere of
either.

The main federal features of the Indian Constitution are as follows 1:

1. Written Constitution:

The Indian constitution is the most elaborate constitution of the world containing 395
Articles and 12 schedules. One of the basic requirements of a federal government is to
have a written constitution.

2. Supremacy of the Constitution:

The Constitution of India is supreme and not the subsidiary of either the Centre or the
States. The judiciary is also given sufficient powers to take action against the Centre or
State if any of them transgresses any of the provisions.

3. Rigid Constitution:

The Indian Constitution is by most extent a rigid Constitution wherein any provision of
the constitution can only be amended by a joint confirmation by the State Legislatures
and the Union Parliament only. For such an amendment, a 2/3 rd majority is required (of
the members present) in the Parliament as well as the ratification by at least half the
States.

4. Division of Powers:

As evident in the Indian Constitution, there is a clear division of powers so that the
Centre and State work in their legislative zones and neither can violate the constitutional
limits it is supposed to abide by.

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The subjects of administration for each are enumerated in the three Legislative Lists
rolled out in the Seventh Schedule: Union, State and Concurrent Legislative Lists.
Matters of national importance like defense, railways, monetary policies etc. are
contained in the Union List which comprises of 97 subjects. The Union government
legislates on the subjects mentioned in the Union List exclusively.

Matters of state importance like administration of justice, trade, economic and social
policies etc. are contained in the State List which comprised of 47 subjects in it. The
State government legislates on the subjects mentioned in the State List exclusively.

Other matters not mentioned in these lists fall in the Concurrent List, which can be
legislated by the Centre as well as the State, residuary powers being with the Centre to
override.

5. Independent Judiciary:

The Supreme Court of India has been vested with powers to oversee the Executive by
the Constitution of India. It can declare laws as unconstitutional if it deems them as
contravening to the Constitutional provisions and is independent of the Executive which
cannot remove the judges or control their salaries. The Constitution invests power in the
judiciary to make it independent of the reach of the Centre and the State.

6. Bicameral Legislature:

A bicameral system is considered essential in a federation because it is in the Upper

House alone that the units can be given equal representation. The Constitution of India
also provides for a bicameral Legislature at the Centre consisting of Lok Sabha and
Rajya Sabha.

In a federation, it is important to have a bicameral system so all the States have equal
representation in national matters. However, there is a slight deviation in the case of
India, where all States do not have equal representation due to difference in population
of each State.

The Constitution of India provides a bicameral legislature at the Centre which comprises
of the Rajya Sabha (consisting of the elected representatives from general elections by

8
the people) and the Lok Sabha (consisting of representatives elected by State
Legislative Assemblies).

7. Dual Government Polity:

As discussed in previous sections, India has a federal system consisting of the Central
and State Governments which function in their own spheres and do not violate each
others spheres, which is enforced and overseen by the Supreme Court.

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Take Aways
Information system as a platform for e-governance
In context of a federation
In a federation, there are generally two levels of governance: The Centre and the Units
which together comprise of the Government of the country. E-governance has a critical
role to play in federations moving ahead as major federations like India and Russia look
to include it in their government architectures. The major areas for improvement that e-
governance can look to are the following:

1. Accessibility at an infrastructural level:

In order to ensure a symbiotic relation between the Centre and the States, a
sound infrastructure of information systems is required to ensure smooth
functioning of the public interest activities. Both parties need to co-operate and
co-ordinate various activities in the federation which can be smoothed out with
the help of a well accessible information system in place instead of the traditional
file system. It is faster, cleaner and more transparent and ensures a quicker
turnaround time for the tasks at hand.

2. Accessibility at an organizational level:

In the context of organizational governance, information systems play a crucial
role in developing the relations between the public and government both
central and state. A good organizational infrastructure for information system
ensures a conversational flow between the subjects and the government.
Dedicated organizational roles for swift action and a proper structure for public
opinion and grievances stimulate faith in the governing body and help in the
growth of industries and economy.

3. Accessibility at an data level:

Access to information (or the Right to Information) is an important right of the
people. It helps bring transparency in the system and makes governing bodies
answerable to the voters. There is huge scope in the role of information systems
being used to bring about faster data access of government plans to the people
and transparent processes to take place. As an example, the launch of e-portals

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 for various government tenders and passport services is an apt example of how
information systems can assist in e-governance.

Apart from these, in the context of a federation, there are various roles that e-
governance can play with the help of information systems being setup. As an example,
there was an experimental exercise carried out by the Tunisian governments Ministry of
Agriculture in the implementation of eG4M methodology to increase agricultural
productivity and bring about a revolution in the agricultural sector. It assisted in the
integration of government services at the horizontal and vertical level to support its
strategic and political decisions and assimilate the databases for further expanding
opportunities for greater produce 2. The Russian Ministry of Information Technology and
Telecommunications also launched a federal program called E-Russia 2002-2010 to this
effect to improve its relations between the state and the public.

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In context of capitalism
In a global context, it is important to note how information and communications
technologies (ICTs) have greatly transformed capitalism the world over and thereby
brought about a revolution in the global business landscape. Information and
communication technologies have assisted the bureaucratic setups to better organize
and manage capitalist societies3.

ICT facilitation has helped outsourcing and offshoring of tasks in capitalist economies
much more easier and helped shape global businesses. Global firms have been
investing in information systems for decades to enhance and revamp their production
activities, services and sourcing across continents.

Firms once compelled by smaller national markets are additionally gaining by this
organization together to lessen their reliance on any single asset supply or creation area
and take an interest in worldwide markets in a stronger manner. Innovation collusions
have risen to share the cost of innovative work (R&D) and ICTs have encouraged such
unions through quick access to learning assets that require imagination, inventiveness,
activity, critical thinking, openness to change, and administrative abilities 4. The monetary
need is to get to another class of typical examiners, the data and learning pros occupied
with "overseeing thoughts," and having the "scholarly capital" significant to
accomplishment in the new "endeavor systems" of 21st-century private enterprise. This
worldwide creation engineering presents openings and dangers that require vital
overseeing at the levels of government approach and business administration. In that
capacity, states have reacted by presenting a pile of neo-liberal arrangements, for
example, deregulating markets to encourage the globalization of capital, worldwide
managing an account, and all inclusive incorporated currency markets 5.

Rapid electronic operations have additionally sped up the expansion of data

administrations, for instance, in bookkeeping, plan, building, legitimate administrations,
telemarketing, website architecture, administration, and Internet programming, to end
up distinctly one of the quickest developing worldwide enterprises. The Internet has
been a main thrust in this fast development with virtual quick every day exchange of
billions of dollars in today's worldwide economy and trans-fringe information streams

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representing US$1.5 trillion yearly (United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development [UNCTAD], 2012). As a result, organizations, for example, national banks,
and by expansion governments, are furnished with administration challenges, especially
the failure to gather expense and screen monetary exchanges. All the more critically, as
with Bitcoin, there is across the board worry about its potential effect on national
coinage, criminal abuse, and capacity to force tax collection (Hill, 2014). The absence of
direction and the namelessness likewise allow deceitful markets to effortlessly rise in
"products" and "administrations, for example, medications and tyke explicit
entertainment. The straightforward certainty is that the electronic hand can move
quicker than the administrative eye. Experts of e-government and e-administration
should thus not simply be worried with actualizing proficient procedures through
decisions of technique for installment yet understand that the innovation assumes an
expanding part through strategies that are attentive, compelling, and opportune.

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In context of socialism
In a socialist type of government the planning, producing, and distributing goods is
controlled by a central government (for example China).

The following factors that plague socialist governments can be enhanced with the use of
information and communications technologies:

1. Increasing Transparency
1.1. Dissemination of Government standards and methods, subject's sanction,
government execution to a more extensive gathering of people
1.2. Disclosure of open resources, government spending plan, and acquisition
data
1.3. Making choices and activities of government workers straightforward

2. Reducing Administrative Corruption

2.1. Putting strategies online with the goal that exchanges can be effectively
observed

2.2. Reduce the guard part of government workers through computerized

systems that diminish optional forces

2.3. Eliminate the requirement for mediators

3. Improving Service Delivery

3.1. Less time in finishing exchanges

3.2. Reduce expenses connected with go for natives to interface with

government

3.3. Improve government capacity to convey administration to bigger section of

populace

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4. Empowerment

4.1. Provide unserved social classes (constrained access to government) with

another channel to get government administrations and data

4.2. Reduce the influence of middle people (intermediaries)

5. Streamlining administrative process

5.1. Increase capacity of administrators to screen assignment finishing rates of

government employees

5.2. Improve productivity of government employees via mechanizing repetitive

work

5.3. Mix of databases, diminishing errors brought about by the nearness of

excess, copy databases

5.4. Increase speed and effectiveness of between and intra-office

6. Reducing Administrative burdens for businesses

6.1. Faster access to government and less time expected to associate with
government

6.2. Reduction of questioners amongst government and person

7. Cost Reduction and Budget Savings

7.1. Reduce cost of exchanges for government forms by going online

7.2. Provide better control of capital expenditure

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16
In context of a Republic
A Republic a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected
representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a
monarch.

One objective of some e-government activities that is more noteworthy in a Republic is

national interest. Through the Internet's Web 2.0 intuitive elements, individuals from
everywhere throughout the nation can give contribution to lawmakers or approach
different channels of interaction to make their voices listened. Blogging and intuitive
studies permit lawmakers or public servants to see the perspectives of the general
population on any issue. Talk rooms can put natives continuously in contact with chosen
authorities or their office staff or give them the way to collaborate straightforwardly with
public workers, permitting voters to have an immediate effect and impact in their
administration. These advances can make a more straightforward government,
permitting voters to promptly perceive how and why their agents in the capital are voting
the way they are. This helps voters choose whom to vote in favor of later on or how to
help the general population workers turn out to be more gainful.

A legislature could hypothetically move more towards a genuine vote based system with
the correct utilization of e-government. Government straightforwardness will offer
knowledge to the general population on how choices are made and consider chosen
authorities or open hirelings responsible for their activities. General society could turn
into an immediate and conspicuous impact in government lawmaking body to some
degree. The Planning Commission of the Government of India, in fact, undertakes a
holistic approach to planning for conducting elections. It works with the Ministry of
Finance to allocate funds for National E-Governance Plan through planned and non-
planned budget amendments. Recently, on the recommendation of the National
Development Council (NDC), the Planning Commission has also taken steps to set up
an Empowered Sub-Committee for e-Governance Reforms.

A study of the Russian e-governance model also gives useful insights on how the
implementation of ICTs provides a base for citizen benefits. These days Russian e-
government incorporates such frameworks as:

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1. The United Interagency Interacting System for giving of state and metropolitan
administrations, trade of data and information between members of interagency
interfacing, speedy endorsement of state and city choices, and so on.

2. The United System for validation and approval giving confirmation of the privileges of
all members of e-government.

3. United Portal of state and civil administrations and capacities which is the "single
window" for all data and administrations guaranteed by government and municipals.

The portal of open administrations is one of the key components of the venture to make
"electronic government" in the nation. The entryway gives a solitary purpose of access
to all references on state and civil administrations through the Internet and gives
residents and associations the chance to get these administrations electronically. Month
to month visits by clients of general society administrations entrance extend somewhere
around 200,000 and 700,000. For instance, residents are currently ready to get or trade
a driver permit through this gateway.

4. Head system giving use of electronic mark.

5. Different frameworks situated on cloud administrations.

Today Russian e-government components are requested in the circles of e-

administration, e-administrations (e-wellbeing, e-training, e-library, and so on.), and web
based business, e-majority rules system (web-decision, Russian open activity). By the
United Nations E-Government Survey 2012: E-Government for Russia got to be
distinctly one of the 7 rising pioneers in e-government advancement, received ninth
place in rating of e-government improvement in large population nations, received
eighth rank in Top e-cooperation pioneers, after Norway, Sweden and Chile, advancing
32 ranks on the global rankings. The Russian Federation turned into the pioneer of e-
government in Eastern Europe. Advancement of ICT in the Russian Federation gave the
bringing of Russia up in e-government improvement list to the 27.

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19
In context of Independence
It would be helpful to investigate the role of ICT in Independence movements by
studying the most recent Independence movements that involved the use of ICT
varyingly to several degrees The Arab Spring.

Investigation of the Arab Spring is helpful for various reasons. To begin with, it
epitomizes how new innovations can be utilized out of the blue or with more power than
expected. The social setting of ICT for this situation saw it used to encourage dissents,
and quickly surpass government's capacity to control a quickly changing ICT
environment. Second, the speed of occasions and absence of a sociology investigate
environment makes it hard to credit shares to the part of various media and
advancements. Frequently, the early dissents in Tunisia and Egypt were depicted in the
press as being brought on by access to new media, without perceiving the capacity of
social orders to incite challenge as they have done previously. Third, the unintended
results demonstrate how diverse social orders utilize and respond to new data
advancements. Endeavors to restrain online dissents prompted to exhibitions in
physical space that had broad ramifications. At last, the experience of the Arab Spring
serves as an update that ICT is a piece of a bigger, continuous pressure over control of
thoughts and space; the innovation might be new yet the hidden issues that cause
dissent developments have long recorded predecessors. Interestingly though, ICT is
only another component in the fight over challenged spaces.

On the off chance that there is a positive example to perceive in the effect of Internet-
based apparatuses and web-based social networking systems on late improvements in
the Middle East, it might have less to do with cultivating Western-style popular
government than in empowering generally less fierce types of mass protest. In
difference to Tunisia and Egypt, low or insignificant online networking activism
(particularly in Libya and Yemen) tend to generally relate with savage acceleration, even
as a large group of different elements, not slightest of which is the level of government
constraint, may at last add to viciousness. In this unique circumstance, the utilization of
ICT might be viewed as the new "specialized" reason for restoring the wonder of mass,

20
peaceful dissent crusades. This example is unquestionably one that benefits facilitate
experimental and logical examination.

References and bibliography

1. NCERT textbook, Civic Studies, Std. 8th.
2. Global Strategy and Practice of E-Governance: Examples from Around the
World, edited by Piaggesi, Danillo.
3. Marcuse H. (1964). One dimensional man: Studies in the ideology of
advanced industrial society.
4. Reich R. (2009). The importance of symbolic analysts to working America.
5. Castells M., Cardoso G. (Eds.). (2005). The network society from knowledge to
policy. Washington, DC: Johns Hopkins Centre for Transatlantic Relations.
6. http://www.insightsonindia.com/2014/11/23/e-governance-india-concept-
initiatives-issues/
7. http://www.drishtiias.com/upsc-exam-gs-resources-E-Governance-Concept-
Impact--challenges
8. http://indiaegovernance.blogspot.in/2008/04/stages-of-e-governance.html
9. http://www.cxotoday.com/story/role-of-ict-in-e-governance-and-rural-
development/
10.http://ictanddevelopment.blogspot.in/2009/06/ict-and-e-governance.html

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Appendix

Appendix 1- Phases of e-governance

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