'Re-engineer processes before computerisation'

'E-governance more about reforms than merely IT'

The National Knowledge Commission, headed by technocrat Sam Pitroda, has come out with a blueprint on e-governance aimed at eliminating the British Raj practices in the government sector by re-engineering processes and services.

"E-governance is more about an opportunity for administrative reforms than merely about electronics, IT and infrastructure. If we miss this opportunity to re-engineer government processes before computerisation, the cost will be enormous," Pitroda told reporters here on Monday after presenting the recommendations made by the commission.

The report on e-governance was prepared by a special group of the commission, under the chairmanship of Infosys chief executive officer Nandan Nilekani. The report was discussed at the Planning Commission and presented to the ministry for communication and IT.

Pitroda pointed out that a high level committee, headed by the Prime Minister, will oversee the implementation of recommendations of the commission. "We can expect some kind of a result over the next few years. We might be spending Rs 5,000-7,000 crore in the coming days on e-governance," he added.

The main recommendations include re-engineering of government process before computerisation. "The present e-governance initiatives are simply computerising old processes left behind by the British. Therefore, it is essential to first redesign government processes with a citizen focus. There should be a replacement of old mistrust and control regime with enabling hassle-free life of citizens, businesses, producers and consumers," he stated.

Pitroda was of the opinion, the government identify 10-20 important processes and services starting with birth and death certificates, proof of residence, ration card and ID card. "Each state should implement these processes in concert and learn from each other," he said.

He pointed out that the computerisation should happen at the national level. "The present state level e-governance initiatives are fragmented. Many programmes are vendor-driven, hardware centric and not scalable. It is essential to develop and implement standards uniformly over all states and central ministries," he stated.

Pitroda said that it is important to provide a nationwide secure broadband infrastructure and associated hardware, software and hosting facilities with easy access at all levels. "This infrastructure should be based on user-pay principle and public-private partnership. This work should be led by the Centre to enforce a high level of security, uniformity and standards at every interface," he added.

He advocated the use of open source software and open standards owing to the enormous size of the e-governance.

The other recommendations include: starting web-based services, creating an empowered chief information technology officer at the state and central level, implementing new national programmes like Bharat Nirman through e-governance and creating an organisation to ensure that e-governance succeeds.