Bhatnagar, Subhas. E-Government: From vision to implementation: A practical guide with case studies. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2004. 202p.
In the era of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) the government can improve its efficiency, accountability and transparency by supporting e-government. In fact expansion of Internet and electronic commerce is redefining relationships among various stakeholders in the process of Governance. It is commonly argued that the characteristics of digital economy increasing network externalities and rising public goods seems to call for the role of participatory government. With the ever-increasing complexities of public administration, the use of IT has become indispensable for effective governance and electronic Governance is an emerging trend which can re-invent the way the Government works. But experience has shown in India that the success of initiatives depends on the political will and commitment of bureaucracy.
Representative democracy relies on the supposition that best way to make a decision is wider participation for all its citizens having access to relevant government information. The new possibilities offered by ICT in the area of e-government e.g. services on-line, enhanced transparency, civil society participation, trade facilitation are to be closely looked at in this context. By focusing on activities that generate significant savings of public resources, governments have been able to broaden their legitimacy base for e-government interventions, while strengthening the principles of democratic governance through enhanced interactivity and engagement with citizen and civil society.
E-government has limited impact in the absence of a national effort for the programme. In India e-governance is seen as a solution to many problems, but those who stand to benefit-the bureaucrat, are also its leading opponents. As the author finds major resistance in implementation lies in the net of corruption and the vested interests that have proliferated in the government.
Despite several conferences organised by the government the term e-government is still used in a loose manner to describe any kind of use of ICT within the public sector. Considering the lack of clarity among government officials which is reflected in the policy document the author of this book tries to define e-government in a more practical manner.
According to Bhatnagar, e-government is about a process of reform related to the way government works, shares information and delivers services to external and internal clients. Taking examples from various countries, which have tried the e-government initiative, Bhatnagar makes an attempt to define the meaning of e-government theme.
He mentions that e-government is not a short cut to economic development, budget saving or clean, efficient government. It is also not a single event that immediately and forever alters the universe of government.
A section of the book is devoted to e initiatives like land records and registration departments that touches the lives of millions of rural Indians. He mentions about the process of implementation of a few initiatives like Bhoomi project in Karnataka and CARD (Computer Aided Registration of Deeds) in Andhra Pradesh.
The author also suggests that without proper preparedness by the government any initiative cannot be successfully implemented. The plan must start with clear vision and outcomes.
The book provides 30 cases from 16 countries and is a practical guide for the policy planner, implementing agency and those who are interested in implementing such initiatives. It is well written book understanding e-governance initiative in India and the world also. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the author provides a roadmap for the successful implementation of any e-government project.
The author Subhash Bhatnagar has been a professor of Information Systems at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) for the last 28 years.
Reviewed by:
Dr Nilay Ranjan, is the Knowledge Coordinator-Education at OneWorld South Asia, New Delhi.
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