Structure:

Introduction:   Define E Governance with few lines on IT sector development in Karnataka.

Body:  Mention benefits of E governance and some E Governance initiatives of state Karnataka.

Conclusion: Conclude by a positive note on future advantages by development of E Governance.

Supporting points:

Karnataka state has been witnessing and experiencing IT revolution during the last many decades with the establishment of Infosys, Wipro, and IT companies. In fact Bengaluru has been called as the “Silicon Valley” of India.

The assumption of power by the Congress government under the leadership of S.M Krishna in October 1999 became a landmark in the introduction of e-governance projects in same areas of administration.

 E-governance may be defined as delivery of government services and information to the public by using electronic means. It is also known as SMART governance by using IT in the process of government functioning to the bring about:

Simple , Moral,  Accountable,  Responsive,  Transparent Governance.

Benefits of e-governance:

Following are the major benefits envisaged under e-governance.

• e-governance is a tool of good governance.
• It facilitates transparency in Public Administration.
• It helps to make administration citizens’ friendly.
• It reduces the gap between the government and the people.
• It simplifies the procedures, rationalises administration and restructures the administrative system.
• It ensure accountability in Public Administration.
• It deduces red-tapism and corruption
• It minimises paper work in government offices
• It provides integrated services and information.
• It is known for better decision –making and Planning

E-Governance Initiatives in Karnataka:

2001. Bhoomi Project: In the filed of agriculture “Bhoomi Project” was launched in 2001. Rajeev Chawla , Additional Secretary in the Revenue Department of Karnataka Government. Mooted this Project. This projects to digitize rural land record seems to have opened up new vistas of e-governance in the whole country. According an estimate 20 crores have been spent on this project. It is designed to computerize land records of the formers. This would not only eliminate manual entries but also help to curtail the manipulation of the land records.
2002. KAVERI (Karnataka Valuation and e-registration Project): It is the state’s first public Private e-Governance initiative. It envisages zero spending for the government. Its aim is to computerize and more than 200 sub-registries in the state online, enabling property registration within 30 minutes of document submission from the present 45- day time period. In October 2002, it received the gold medal for the approach paper at the 6th national conference on e-governance.
2003. “Bangalore One”: The State government has signed two agreement in November 2002 with the Microsoft Company for setting up “Bangalore One”-an online portal where bill for government utilities such as water supply and power distribution could be paid. Citizens can access the portal to check status, pay bills, and get information. Taking technology to the doors of Bangalore citizens is the aim of this project.
2004. “Smart School Project”: In 2002 the government decided to set up within a year “Smart School Project” in five divisions of the state in collaboration with the Microsoft Company. It will provide software solution, teacher training and IT curriculum. The Karnataka government received accolades from Bill Gates, the chairman of the Microsoft Company for its performance in-governance.
2005. Karnataka i4 Policy (IT, ITES, Innovation, Incentives Policy) : The Government has brought out IT Policy i.e., Karnataka i4Policy (IT, ITeS, Innovation Incentives Policy) where in several incentives are being offered to new IT / ITeS and other knowledge based sectors to set up their facility in Tier 2/3 Cities across Karnataka.
2006. MeGISS- Municipal e-Governance Integrated Software System- MeGISS is an integrated delivery and monitoring platform through which all the municipal services are delivered and monitored digitally through a transparent, faster and efficient system . This integrated system reduces efforts for citizens and ULB officials, provides flexibility for availing services , carrying out services or provides logs and history for audit purpose.
2007. Existing online applications:
      1. Birth & Death Registration and Certification System. E-Janma application.
      2. Janahitha - Improved version of online Public Grievance and Redressal System.
      3. Nirman - Online Building License issuance System
      4. Nirman 2-End to end online system with auto DCR for Building license issuance service has been developed and implemented in AMRUT.
      5. Vyapar - End to end Online Trade License issuance system.
      6. Jalanidhi - End to end water tap and UGD connection permit and water tariff

Management System:

1. E-Aasthi – Property details management system.
2. Sweekruthi - application integrated with Khajane 2 has been developed and implemented across all ULBs to avoid cash based transactions at ULBs.
3. PID number based Property tax calculator has been developed.
4. Online application to manage AMRUT project has been developed and planned to implemented in AMRUT ULBs.

E-governance is a desirable new public management system in 21st century. Therefore the government has to adopt a comprehensive e-governance policy and programme. Moreover the success of e-governance requires e-readiness, computer application knowledge, IT Infrastructure facilities, Networking of Departments and Offices, Change in the mindset, Public-private Partnership, a strong political will, e-governance vision and action plan.