While the ongoing e-governance initiatives of the State government are laudable, non-availability of updated information on websites of various government departments indicates a slow down in efforts toward consolidation of e-governance in the State.
If the lethargic role played by various government departments in facilitating e-governance is any indication, it may be stated that the government’s objective of providing good governance and its intention to optimally leverage IT to restructure government-citizen interface may stand defeated.
Concerned over the current situation, MP (Rajya Sabha) Shantaram Naik, speaking exclusively to TOI, said he intends to initiate a citizen-oriented action plan urging government departments to update all websites. Taking a dig at the lackadaisical approach adopted by many government departments he warned, “If this continues, the very purpose of e-governance will stand defeated.”
The MP has called upon departments to compulsorily update all circulars and orders issued by them on their websites by 6 pm every day for the convenience of the public. “Amendment of schemes should also be reflected immediately,” he said.
“I have been demanding uploading of the government gazette on the internet on Thursdays, the day of its publication. It is a vital document and the public need to get easy access to it,” he added.
The MP also said that all schemes of the government with prescribed forms should be made available, as this is the objective of e-governance. He also stressed the need to increase the number of mahiti ghars for the convenience of the public.
Meanwhile, though the government focuses on the implementation of projects which are citizen centric, feedback received on the functioning of the six mahiti ghar’s at Margao, Quepem, Revona, Sanguem, Canacona and Painguinim, in South Goa District, indicate that the concept has been unable to gain the required popularity even as it was well received and appreciated by the public in the beginning.
“These information counters or kiosks were set up for the purpose of providing various services such as issuing Record of Rights in Form I & IV and Learners’ Driving Licenses to citizens of Goa. The scheme was started on a trial basis with effect from October 2001. But in the past couple of years there is a decline in public turn out as some of the kiosk operators fail to provide information on various schemes and policies as well as issue on-demand forms and permits,” informed a senior citizen.
Citizens, who are appreciative of the concept are of the opinion that strict implementation combined with checks on the functioning of such kiosks may help in overcoming the present situation.
Nonetheless, the low public turn-out at these kiosks and the decrease in user satisfaction score should be a matter of concern to the government which lays emphasis on providing most services through this concept and also seeks to expand the Mahiti Ghar network.
The e-governance hype since 2001 had led to the setting up of the 13 mahiti ghars in the state. Operated by private entrepreneurs, these kiosks aim at providing information to the public on various government schemes and policies as well as issue forms and permits on-demand.
Presently, Mahiti ghars aim at providing services for issuing birth certificates, admission to schools/colleges, study/caste certificates, examination results, employment serviceks, vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, land records, marriage certificates, property registration, payment of taxes, municipal services, old age pensions, health care and death certificates.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com