Question

Which of the following statements are correct about the challenges of e-Governance in India?

1. The digital divide and lack of public awareness are significant barriers to e-Governance success.

2. The absence of high-speed internet has no impact on e-Governance initiatives.

3. Legacy systems require a comprehensive survey to identify risks and ensure interoperability.
   

• A. 1 & 2
• B. 2 & 3
• C. 1 & 3
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 1 & 3

Challenges of e-Governance in India

• The Digital Divide: This refers to the significant gap in access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and digital literacy between different segments of the population. This divide can be based on urban-rural location, income levels, education, age, and gender.
• Impact of Digital Divide: Many citizens, especially in rural areas, lack access to computers, smartphones, and reliable internet, making it difficult for them to utilize online government services. This creates an imbalance where benefits of e-governance are not uniformly distributed.
• Lack of Public Awareness: Even among those with access, there is often insufficient awareness about the availability and benefits of various e-governance services. Many citizens prefer traditional methods due to a lack of trust in digital platforms or a general unfamiliarity with technology.
• Government Initiatives to Bridge the Gap: Programs like Digital India aim to empower citizens digitally and ensure digital literacy. Common Service Centers (CSCs) play a crucial role in providing digital services to rural populations, acting as access points.
• Internet Connectivity Issues: The statement that the absence of high-speed internet has no impact on e-Governance initiatives is incorrect. High-speed and reliable internet connectivity is fundamental for the successful implementation and smooth functioning of e-Governance services.
• Importance of Connectivity: Services like online applications, digital payments, and data exchange rely heavily on robust internet infrastructure. Poor connectivity leads to slow access, service disruptions, and user frustration, hindering adoption.
• Government Efforts: Projects like BharatNet (National Optical Fibre Network) are designed to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats, directly addressing this infrastructure gap.
• Legacy Systems: Many government departments operate on outdated or 'legacy' IT systems and infrastructure. These systems were often developed independently and may not be compatible with newer technologies or with each other.
• Challenges Posed by Legacy Systems:
  • Interoperability Issues: Different departments' systems often cannot communicate or share data seamlessly, leading to data silos, duplication of efforts, and inefficient service delivery.
  • Security Vulnerabilities: Older systems may lack modern security features, making them susceptible to cyber threats.
  • High Maintenance Costs: Maintaining obsolete technology can be expensive and difficult due to a lack of expertise or readily available parts.
  • Resistance to Change: Transitioning from legacy systems requires significant investment, training, and overcoming bureaucratic inertia.
• Solution: A comprehensive survey and audit of existing legacy systems are essential to identify their risks, understand their functionalities, and plan for their modernization or replacement. This helps in developing strategies to ensure interoperability and secure data exchange across various government platforms.
• Key Pillars of Digital India Programme (Launched in 2015): The programme envisions transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Its nine pillars include Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access Programme, e-Governance (Reforming Government through Technology), e-Kranti (Electronic Delivery of Services), Information for All, Electronics Manufacturing, IT for Jobs, Early Harvest Programmes.