Introduction
Through the implementation of e-governance, governments have
substantially empowered themselves in terms of openness in operation,
people engagement, information distribution, and increasing the speed of
communication during the previous two decades. According to the World
Bank, ’e-Governance’ refers to the use of information technologies (such
as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) by government
agencies that have the potential to revolutionize relationships with
citizens, corporations, and other arms of government. Less corruption,
improved transparency, greater convenience, income growth, and/or cost
reductions may be achieved as a result . e-Governance is a
decision-making process that involves the use of ICT in governance
systems. It ensures broader and deeper participation and involvement of
citizens, institutions, NGOs, and businesses in the government system.
In today’s democratic period, e-governance is a participatory method
(Satyanarayana, 2004). E-government is concerned with communities and
participants outside the organization, whereas e-governance is concerned
with administration and management within an organization, whether
public or private, large or small . In India, e-Governance is a
relatively new notion. The launch of the National Satellite-Based
Computer Network (NICENET) in 1987, followed by the District Information
System of the National Informatics Centre (DISNIC) program to
computerize all district offices in the country, for which free hardware
and software were made available to state governments, provided the
necessary impetus for e-governance. While the developed world and
certain Asian countries have moved swiftly, India continues to lag in
satisfying rising public aspirations. Massive population expansion,
cultural diversity, acute poverty, and widespread illiteracy pose
several challenges to government service delivery processes. The
Government of India (GoI) is moving away from traditional modes of
governance toward technological engagement in the governance process.
The Government is currently in the transition phase, smoothly unleashing
the power of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in
governance. E-government is the implementation of e-governance or the
modernization of the government’s procedures and operations through the
use of ICT tools in order to transform the way it serves its
constituents. . There are numerous e-Governance programs in place today,
both at the center and the state levels. The Department of Electronics
and Information Technology and the Department of Administrative Reforms
and Public Grievances formulated the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
in 2006, with the goal of making all government services accessible to
the common man, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and reliability of
such services at affordable costs, and realizing the basic needs of the
common man. Digital India was established in 2015 with the goal of
digitally empowering the country.
Its essential components are as follows: establishing a safe and stable
digital infrastructure. Second, digitally offering government services
and establishing universal digital literacy. Some of the successful
efforts include ”Aadhaar,” UIDAI-issued unique identification number
that acts as confirmation of identity and address based on biometric
data. It is being used to bring numerous benefits to members of society.
Aadhar can be used to e-sign documents. Next, ”myGov.in” is a national
citizen engagement platform where people may exchange ideas and
participate in policy and governance issues. ”UMANG” is a Unified Mobile
Application that gives users access to national and state government
services such as Aadhar. Finally, there are services such as ”Digital
Locker,” PAN, Employee Provident Fund, and so on. Citizens can use
Digital Locker to digitally store vital documents such as mark sheets,
PAN, Aadhar, and degree certificates. This lowers the need for physical
documents and allows for easier document sharing.
In addition to the foregoing, state-level e-governance efforts include
”E-Seva” (Andhra Pradesh), which allows for the payment of utility bills
as well as the issue of certifications, licenses, and permits. The
”Khajane Project” (Karnataka) digitalized the state’s treasury system.
”FRIENDS” (Kerala) is a one-stop-shop for paying taxes and other
financial obligations to the state government. The ”Lokvani” Project
(Uttar Pradesh) is a one-stop-shop for addressing disputes, maintaining
property records, and delivering a variety of critical services.
In summary it can be said that there are four models for e-governance.
The first one, is government to citizens (G2C) which is regarding the
government services for the citizens. Payment of online bills, online
registration of applications, copies of land record are few examples of
this model. the second model is government to government (G2G) which are
for services shared between the government. It may be horizontal meaning
between different ministries of departments or vertical meaning between
central to state government. Sharing of information between police
departments of various states, government document exchange are a few
examples of this model. Government to business (G2B model forms the
third one. Sharing of information between the government and the private
sector so to develop a bond takes place under this model. Collection of
taxes, rejection and approval of patent, payment of bills and penalty
all through the online mode are examples of this kind of model. The
fourth one is named Government to employees (G2E) which is between the
government and the government employees. Data submission from various
government offices, filing of complaints by employees, appraisal of
employees all examples of this model (Yadav and Singh, 2013).
In this current study, we have tried to cover the e-governance
initiatives in India pertaining to Agriculture, Forestry, Sewage
management and environmental flow of rivers. After a detailed
discussion, we have come to how these initiatives may be utilized for
better coverage and implementation of schemes pertaining to river Ganga
and its banks. We have proposed how a convergence mechanism may be
utilized for the cleanliness of the river with real-time monitoring as
well as upliftment of farmers and other people dependent on the river.