Moily panel says IT key to vibrant democracy

To further e-governance, the central government has decided to implement a modified scheme in the shape of the National Land Records Modernisation Programme to create a single agency to handle the digitisation of land records, according to the second Administrative Reforms Commission’s (ARC’s) 11th report.

Other potential success stories include streamlining the process so that passports can be issued in three days (or less), subject to police verification, and on the same day under the “tatkal” scheme, notes the report.

Moreover, the Planning Commission has been entrusted with the formulation of a mission for the Unique Identity (UID) number project.“It may be desirable to give UIDs prospectively for all future births that take place in the country. As the system stabilises, this could then be extended to all citizens in a phased manner,” states the ARC report.

However, India’s experience “reveals a plethora of pilot projects with varying rates of success but the majority are not scaled up or widely replicated”, admits the ARC. Headed by M Veerappa Moily, the Commission — whose term has been extended till March 31, 2009 — says that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hold the key “to good governance and a vibrant democracy.”

“Information technology (IT) presents many avenues for improving governance. Despite important policy initiatives and significant achievements in economic and social sectors, we still have a long way to go. We can address the deficiencies by adopting e-governance as an inextricable part of government functioning, be they in routine matters or major projects,” it notes.