CASE STUDY: GOOD GOVERNANCE: “MANAGING GOOD GOVERNANCE WITH THE HELP OF INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY”

Introduction:

Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, has started a mission of life from his ancestral dwelling, and through his “Wings of Fire”, he has lift
up India on top of the globe in missile technology. We must take a lesson from his life and may acquire the skills needed
for Good Governance from him. The Governance is a process of decision making and Good Governance is the processes
by which Good decision can be implemented in the system. The terms “Good Governance” and “Corruption” are stated
to be interlinked. If there is no corruption, of course, there will be Good Governance. Good governance influences the
overall design, operational techniques, and procedures of administration. In absence of Good Governance,
implementing sound policies and codes within the organisation will be a bit difficult task for the first Nations: The visible
and prominent characteristics of Good Governance are: Participation, Accountability, Transparency, Efficiency, Rule of
Law, Responsiveness, Consensus and Equity (Sources: Governance Development Network, AFOA, ONTARIO). In today’s
scenario, it is felt necessary that all the aspirant Generation Next IR Professionals and practicing PR Managers
whosoever wish to learn Good Governance System may take a pledge as first step to become an “Expert Industrial
Relation Leader”, and then must Learn, how to operate without hierarchical–crutch, to compete in a way, that enhances
co-operation, and operate with the “Highest Ethical Standards and Integrity” in life, with an essential dose of
humbleness, as if they are going to live Serving to the country forever and at the same time, they must Teach, these
principles of “Good Governance System” they have learned and practiced so far in their life, to each and every individual
of the generation next, as if they are going to leave this eternal world Happily today. This is the essence of “Sevottam”
and it was a privileged dream of our beloved Father of Nation, by virtue of which, we are enjoying freedom today.

Objective:

The prime objective of presenting this case study is to create awareness of Good Governance Principles amongst the
aspirant IR Professionals and to motivate them further, to build their capacities for enabling their transformation from
their present role of Managing PR functions to become an Expert Industrial Relation Leader by meticulously practicing
the proven principles of good governance in their organizations for effectively enforcing transparency in all the
processes of their Public Relation functions through use of IT based Systems as established in PESO case.

Conceptual Discussion:

Subject Case of PESO

Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is a central government subordinate department formerly known
as Department of Explosives, is entrusted with administration of Petroleum and Explosives Act and various rules framed
under their in to ensure public safety. PESO is an ISO: 9001-2000 certified government organization presently working
under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, having its Head
Quarter at Nagpur and is headed by the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCE). The PESO has bagged prestigious e-
Governance Award of Government of India for successfully implementing IT based Online Systems for licensing and
monitoring transactions of explosives. The PESO website is one of the most popular government sites with highest hit
counts due to its rich contents, useful links; inter active search contents, and plentiful data base in public domain with
login facilities for various stake holders such as Licensee, DM, SP, DIPP, MHA, Competent person, General Public and
Department Officials. It can be accessed at www.peso.gov.in (Accessed on January 27, 2015). As part of Good
Governance initiatives PESO is connected with general public and share knowledge through its IT based transparent
systems. The Website contains name address and email ID with Colored photographs of each of its officer with his
jurisdictional area along with contact details for public facilitation on 24x7 basis under posting of officers heading. Left
hand panel list all the applicable Rules, Acts and Important application formats in pdf formats along with a fee calculator
to know the prescribed license fee for each type of license it also describes the time of disposal of application of various
types as per prescribed RFD norms for ease of applicants. It also has a Public Grievance Portal, Accident Reporting
System, Apply Online, RTI and e Tender links along with Work manuals, Do and don’ts, Vision-Mission and citizen
charter. The online status of the application can be searched using Application Status link, which provides current status
of processed application through IT based Systems. One can search using date of application, DD Number or Online
generated Dock Key for the particular application, which will be displayed instantly on screen with discrepancies if any in
printable format along with date and name of concerned officer so that the applicant can submit his compliance in time
without actually waiting for the physical delivery of signed letter by post. It is such a wonderful feature that public can
access the PESO system from home at his convenience time and saves lots of his time, energy and off course money too.
Another Powerful link is Public domain which contains list of all the available license premises sorted taluka, district,
state, region and license form wise with its descriptions, Name of licensee, premises address, licensed quantity and its
validity etc. By transparently displaying this information through IT based systems on PESO website has improved peso’s
public relation in terms of sharing information to the needy personals, police, district authority and general public. This
application has tremendously reduced RTI queries, complaint cases and related court cases. There is a provision of
making on line application for obtaining licenses under petroleum rules and uploading quarterly return of explosives
under explosives rules with facility of knowing current status of application, document discrepancy and time line of
disposal. This feature has helped general public as well as law enforcing agencies to monitor transaction of explosives on
real time scale and checking of stock inventory of particular explosives storage premises for on date inspection and
physical verification purpose. Numbers of additional links were provided for multiple accesses using dot net technology
for effective control and detecting misuse. This IT based application has helped PESO in stopping and monitoring the
illegal pilferage of explosives.

Vision and Mission of PESO:

Chief controller of explosives and his team shall constantly endeavor to render efficient and courteous service to all
licensees, public and industry with complete transparency in their prompt working and through optimum utilization of
available human resources and e-technology while keeping in view national interest and safety first motto. PESO is
committed to implementation of safety aspects related to manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import and
export of explosives including compressed gases and storage, transport, production, refining and blending of petroleum
as envisaged under the Explosives Act1884 and Petroleum Act1934 and various rules framed there under with the
objective of prevention of accidents. To provide technical advice on matters related to safety to the central government
and state government, local bodies, law-enforcing agencies, industry, trade and users of above products within the
ambit of Petroleum Act 1934, Explosives Act 1884 and the rules made there under, to create safety awareness amongst
the public, to offer friendly interface with public while upholding transparency and efficiency. Undertake up gradation of
regulations to meet the requirement of modern technology and harmonizing them with International Standards, to
constantly upgrading competence, awareness skills and motivation of the personnel working in the organization to bring
about improvement in the physical efficiency and creating a well trained work force. The IT based dot net technology
module has really strengthened the working of PESO as envisaged by the principles of Good Governance System of
Administration. It is worth mentioning that with IT based System in place PESO, though a 117 year old government
department established by the Britishers in India, has fully transformed into a hi tech, real time service delivery
organisation like any of the corporate sector today and working true to its vision statement by upholding the spirit of
Safety First Motto in every sphere of its working since 1898.

Is IT Based System is need of hour for practicing Good Governance in the Organizations?