E-GOVERNANCE PLAYS KEY ROLE IN BRINGING TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY: V. NARAYANASAMI
Jaipur, 11 February. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot has said that the technology has the potential to alter the standard of living and thinking of the people. He said the Direct Benefit Scheme of the Centre is a major step towards the Open Governance.
Shri Gehlot was addressing the inaugural session of the 16th National e-Governance Conference here at Birla Auditorium on Monday. He said the theme of the Conference ‘Towards an Open Government’ will provide an impetus to the State Government’s efforts of making available a transparent, responsive and accountable government to the citizens of the State.
The Chief Minister said our late Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhiji dreamt of taking the country forward into the 21st Century. He said the UPA Government is now carrying the mission forward into the 21st Century and introduced the Right to Information to achieve the goal of Open Governance. He said Rajasthan is amongst the pioneers in implementing the Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act. He said it is a matter of pride for us that our State is first to implement the Right to Hearing Act.
Shri Gehlot said in order to bridge the digital divide and to extend the benefits of Information Technology to the villages; Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras at the cost of 1100 crores are being established in 9177 Gram Panchayats of 248 Panchayat Samitis. He said Rajasthan is the front runner State in this initiative.
The Minister of State of Personal and Public Grievances & Pensions and MoS in PMO Shri V. Narayanasami said e-Governance is important to bring transparency and accountability in government and governance. In the era of information revolution where information is being given and taken in a speedy manner the expectation of the citizens have increased with promoting accountability, transparency and responsiveness. He said looking at the expectations of the people the government officials will have to work with the changed mindset.
He said the Government of India has taken a number of initiatives over the years to reform administration, the system of public service delivery and to put anti-corruption measures in place. He said Right to Information has been brought to demystify the functioning of the government and bureaucracy to a great extent. He said a number of legislations including the ‘Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011’, the ‘Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011’ and the ‘Public Procurement Bill, 2012’ are at various stages of enactment which aim to address the menace of corruption and usher great transparency.
Shri Narayanasami said the strategic objective of e-Governance in to support and simplify governance for all stakeholders. He said the objectives of e-Governance are similar to the objectives of good governance. He said the challenge before us is to put people first and use e-Governance for achieving growth and equity.
In the beginning of the Conference Chief Secretary Shri C. K. Mathew welcomed the guests and divulged information about the use of e-Governance in the State and changes being witnessed. Additional Secretary, Dept. of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Shri Arun Jha said vote of thanks.
Shri Gehlot released the book ‘India-Inclusive e-Governance’. He also inaugurated Raj ‘SWAN’ network which will provide video-conferencing facility at block levels and also launched the NeGP portal on this occasion.
In the Conference the Chief Minister distributed the National awards in e-Governance in various categories for promoting e-Governance including Gold for best government portal to the RPSC e-Governance.
