Question

What are the key economic considerations for the sustainability of e-governance?

1. Sustainability requires e-governance to be affordable, ensuring a good balance between costs and benefits.
2. Significant ongoing expenses for maintenance and upgrades are not a major factor.
3. The initial investment is the only major economic concern; subsequent costs are negligible.
4. Political willingness to fund projects with long-term, rather than immediate, payoffs is essential.

• A. ii, iv
• B. ii, iii
• C. i, iv
• D. i, ii

Answer 1

Answer:

C. i, iv

For e-governance to be truly sustainable, it must be economically viable in the long run. This means that the benefits derived from improved efficiency, transparency, and service delivery should demonstrably outweigh the total costs incurred, both initial and ongoing. Governments must therefore focus on optimizing resource allocation, leveraging open-source technologies where feasible, and ensuring that projects are scalable and adaptable to future needs. Furthermore, a strong political commitment is vital to ensure continuous support and funding, even when immediate returns are not visible, recognizing the strategic importance of digital transformation for national development.