PTI Dec 8, 2014, 04.59PM IST
BANGALORE: Citing Prime Minister's 'Jan Dhan Yojana' and direct benefit transfer schemes as value based governance practices, President Pranab Mukherjee today stressed on improving transparency, accountability and organisational capabilities to meet quality of service delivery.
Addressing a function here, Mukherjee said the efficacy of public institutions depends on the delivery mechanism and the institutional framework of rules, regulations and procedures, which has to evolve continuously to respond to the changing times.
"There is a pressing need, on one hand to improve organizational capabilities to cater to the increasing demand for services and improvement in the quality of service delivery, and on the other, to improve transparency and accountability.
"This underscores the need for innovative solutions based on technology," he said during the launch of 'Karnataka Mobile One', a mobile governance project of the state government.
An individual can access 4,000 'government to citizens' and 'business to citizens' services like passport status and income tax payment and refunds, among others through this unique application available on smart phones.
Talking about e-governance initiatives, the President said 'Aadhaar' project was initiated providing every resident with a unique identification number aimed at improving delivery and easy access to benefits and services.
"The Direct Benefits Transfer scheme launched in January 2013 leveraged the Aadhaar system to improve targeting, eliminate waste, usher in greater transparency, reduce transaction costs and enhance efficiency.
"This initiative demonstrated how good governance practices can be consolidated using suitable technology models," he said.
Mukherjee said e-governance holds great promise for a quantum leap in governance standards.
"The need of the hour is to leverage India's leadership position in information communication technology to introduce technology-intensive solutions for governance," the President said.
He said recently the government has provided further boost to inclusive development through a slew of innovative schemes aimed at complete financial inclusion (PMJDY), provision of digital infrastructure, cleanliness campaign and creation of model villages.
"The key parameter of success of public programmes is the meeting of the expectations of people. In the context of good governance, it implies the availability of effective delivery mechanisms.
"Responsiveness in catering to the needs of the citizens is a challenge the public administration of our country has to deal with," Mukherjee said.
He said good decision-making calls for pooling of knowledge, experience and views of all stakeholders including citizens.
Mukherjee also cited NDA government's 'Digital India' programme to break the divide between digital 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
"The 'Digital India' programme launched in August this year envisages the creation of a digitally-empowered society and knowledge economy by breaking the divide between digital 'haves' and 'have-nots'.
"One of the components of this programme is the availability of government services in real time from mobile platforms.
It is in this context that I consider the 'Karnataka Mobile One' to be an initiative of great foresight," he said. |
The President said mobile phone has revolutionized the communication system like none other.
It has brought people closer, shrunk distance and alleviated geographic separation, he said.
The total number of mobile phone subscribers in India is 93 crore with a density of 75 per cent.
41 per cent of the subscribers reside in rural areas. "The monthly growth rate of mobile phone subscription of 0.76 per cent in the rural areas is higher than the 0.55 per cent in the urban areas. These numbers have significance from the policy perspective of governance," Mukherjee said.
A pre-recorded speech of Mukherjee was shown during the functions using 3D technology.
"I commend your passion to deploy technology in governance. In this context, I want to express my delight at having been associated with the demonstration of 3D holography, which is a cutting-edge technology," he said in speech at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, after his 3D virtual speech.
Mukherjee said happiness of citizens is the foremost objective of a welfare state.
It is the fulcrum on which rest other goals. "Driving its fulfillment calls for good governance that has such sacrosanct elements as adherence to rule of law, participatory decision-making, equity, inclusiveness, responsiveness, transparency and accountability," the President said.
Mukherjee said the fundamental rights and the directive principles of State policy comprise the tenets of governance as they as reference point for value based governance.
"Parliamentary enactments, and government policies and programmes have helped transform these directives into actionable points for governance.
"For instance, entitlements for food, education and job, backed by legal guarantees, have empowered citizens. Schemes for universal healthcare and education have shown good results," the President said.
He said dramatic developments in the IT sector have transformed the society.
"It has created an eco-system for the government to tap technology-enabled solutions for deployment in the area of governance for the benefit of the common man," Mukherjee said.
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He also praised Karnataka, an IT hub, that contributes to thirty per cent of the total software exports of our country.
"Not only has the State created a conducive environment for the expansion of the IT sector, it has skillfully combined innovation and government vision to bring about reforms touching the lives of citizens," the President said.
The first-of-its-kind mobile governance project will make available services like bill payments, traffic alerts, traffic fine payments and other utility services through mobile phone.
People can also complain about civil problems like heap of garbage and others through a special feature 'icare' enabled in this project.
The project gives access to 'Sakala', a platform for time-bound delivery of services, as well as prompt redressal of grievances.
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R Vala and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah among other dignitaries were present during the function.
