Use of Technology in Governance
Striving for E-Legislature
- The role of Parliament and many state legislatures, as an institution of debate, deliberation and law-making have been disrupted due to Covid-19.
- These legislative bodies are an institution of public trust and need to continue its role of scrutiny of government’s actions, especially in times of crisis.
- It is here that technology-centric solutions can ensure work continuity in law-making institutions even when meetings can’t be held physically. For example:
These online meetings of legislative bodies will help in the furtherance of debate and deliberation on important issues. - The establishment of e-legislature will help in reducing the frequent use of ordinances.
- Following this, Virtual parliament has been set up in the democracies like the UK, New Zealand, etc.
Strengthening Parliamentary Committees
- It is the stoppage in the work of parliamentary committees which needs immediate attention.
- These committees are smaller sub-groups of MPs which meet outside the House to deliberate on issues of public importance. The committees play a critical role as they are tasked with the in-depth examination of government bills.
- Thus, the use of ICT platforms will enable proper functioning of parliamentary committees.
- Also, the added advantage could be that the committee could get to hear a wide range of stakeholders who might otherwise find it difficult to appear in person before the committees.
Virtual Judiciary
- It is obvious that normalcy in the judicial process will not resume in a short time, even in an early period post lockdown phase.
- Therefore, it is an opportunity of the judiciary to adopt Information and communication technology, so that justice can reach everyone without any delay.
- Also, by adopting initiatives like e-courts judiciary may reduce the backlog of cases.
- Promoting Participative Democracy
- There is an unprecedented opportunity for community collective choice, whereby citizens who are affected by a set of governing rules can help to select and frame policy, rank spending priorities, and can, in partnership with their local government representatives,
- Such Mechanism may help in strengthening Social audit. For example, citizens can directly give suggestions to the government on myGOV platform.
Implementing Good Governance
- Information Technology has ensured that a policy decision taken by the government can be quickly executed and implemented at multiple locations, across the length and breadth of the country.
- It also ensures transparency, accountability—while assuring quick and effective responsiveness of government to citizens’ problems and suggestions.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
- Government has taken much of the e-governance initiatives for effective public service delivery. Also, when combined with emerging technologies, it can help in achieving sustainable development goals.