The concept of E-governance can be understand as electronic governance by using the application of Information and communication Technology at various level for providing governmental services,exchange of information, transactions, amalgamation of previously existing services and information portals. Here the letter “e” in e-Governance stands for electronic. The genies of this concept in India is surfaced around 1970s era as focusing on in- house government applications in the areas of economic, defence, tax administration, census etc. The pillar of e-governance are the people, process, technology and resources.
Introduction:
The concept E-governance is basically signifies the application of information and communication technology to government relating functioning at various level of administration through which information can be disseminated to the public at large in a transparent manner. 1 There are law colleges in Cooch Behar that had initiated the concept of E-governance in their institutions and as a topic to discuss under a specific course/module/talks/seminars/ legal discourse etc and ensure the accessibility of information. It is basically a one step ahead towards SMART governance which means: Simple, Moral Accountable, Responsive and Transparent governance 2 . In the present scenario of rapid globalization the country like India has adopted the concept of e governance, which is very much essential in the fast-growing and demanding economy. Moreover, the swift growth of digitalization across the globe has forced many nations around the world to incorporate the concept of technology into their governmental processes.
Meaning and Concept:
The notion of e governance is basically implies the functioning of government with the aid of Information and Communications Technology. As per World Bank, the term e-governance refers to the use of information technologies viz. Wide Area Network, the internet and mobile computing that have the aptitude to transform relation with citizens, business and other organs of government and its agencies. It means the ‘electronic governance’ by using ICTs viz. information and communication technologies at a range of various strata of the governmental agencies and beyond. It is being used to transform the efficiency and effectiveness of exchange of information between governments and their agencies, citizens and business.
Aims and Objectives:
a) The first and first most objective of e governance is to make every kind of information of the government services etc available in website or other means to all people in the public interest.
b) Secondly to make a cooperative structure in between the government and people.
c) To promote and encourage peoples participation into the governance process through ICTs
d) To improves ICTs and media such as print, electronic and social in order to strengthen the country’s economy growth by keeping government’s, people and business in tune with the latest information technology globalised world.
e) To ascertain the efficiency, accountability and transparency in the governance of the country.
Features of E governance:
From the aforesaid paragraph it has been now proved that the e governance is a powerful instrument of public service in the contemporary globalised world of technology. The main features can be found by examining the functioning of e governance in any nation. The main features are as follows:
a) De Bureaucratization: With the introduction of e-governance in the government offices and public sectors, the space between the people and government in all services of government is now become very narrow which results in the reduction of dependency of people on the bureaucracy.
b) E services: With the introduction of internet services in the government offices, public sector and business and beyond the stand alone services system and services between government to business, government to citizens, and government to employees etc get more properly and efficiently working.
c) International Service: With the coming of the concept of e-governance in administration, it is been observed the all kind of essential services can be easily delivered to the citizens who are living abroad from their country for some employment purposes or any other reasons.
d) Right to Information: E governance had enhances the concept of right to know and express the views on the government policies, schemes and law through their active participation on it through right to information laws in India.
e) Economic development: It has seen that, with the beginning of the idea of e- governance at various government offices the information on import and export, companies relating matters, investment in stock and exchange etc are easily accessible in fingertips through using internet in mobile and laptop.
f) Maintaining the principles of Equality: In the era of globalization, everyone can gather and access relevant and authentic information and empower themselves through the instrument of e governance.
E governance in India:
In India, both at Central and State level, there are many e-Governance initiatives that have been launched. Recently, the concept of National e-Governance Plan was devised by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in the year 2006 which basically aims at making all government services at door step accessible to the people living in India that ensure efficiency, transparency and reliability of such kind of services at affordable costs to comprehend and fulfill the basic needs of the people. It has enabled and prepared many e-governance initiatives such as digital India launched in 2015 to empower the nation digitally in every aspect. Some other examples of e governance initiatives are made recently such as Aaadhar, Umang, National Conference on e- Governance myGov.in, Digital Locker , PayGov facilitates, UN e-governance website, Mobile Seva, Computerization of Land Records etc.
Conclusion:
India is rapidly developing in the field of economy sector across the globe and is under transformation phase from governance to good governance through the prism of e governance initiatives. The law colleges in Cooch Behar discusses and explore its varied aspect and spread awareness among the citizens about the concept of e-governance through many seminar, conference to incorporate the concept of technology into their governmental processes. The founding of e-governance concept has now become central legal discourse among social scientists especially in the third world countries. As a consequence of the realization of e governance through the application of ICTs many nations have been able to uphold their social economic development trend on par with the developed counties in the globe. As it can be said that knowledge is power hence the idea of e-governance empowers by providing relevant and authentic information at minimum time, cost and price.
