By Dhirendra Pratap Singh
With the consensus that has emerged in the country on the need to adopt e-Governance for the convenience of citizens as well as for many other reasons like access, speed, efficiency and so on, the time has now come to start the process of formulating an e-Governance law. Some of the key provisions of the law could be the following:
- Making it mandatory for all forms relating to citizen and business services to be available online and with a facility to submit it online (this could also be made mandatory at a later date through service providers or assisted access);
- No form to be legally valid unless this is done first;
- Making it obligatory for the authorities concerned to take up for consideration electronically filed applications;
- Making it mandatory that all major government schemes (especially citizen oriented ones) should be implemented on an e-Governance format with online reporting systems
- Linking the process of budgetary provisions, sanctions and releases in an online environment to the online reporting system
- Linking the implementation of individual-oriented government schemes to the individual ID to plug leakages and improve targeting.
- Each of the goals outlined above requires drawing up of detailed implementation plans with specific milestones and timelines. Such a focused pursuit would surely help in our quest to leverage ICTs for the inclusive development of the country.
India has various legal frameworks, policies, and acts that address different aspects of e-governance, digital governance, and data protection. Here are some key components and legal aspects related to e-governance in India:
Information Technology Act, 2000:
- The Information Technology Act is a comprehensive legislation that provides legal recognition for electronic transactions and outlines the legal framework for electronic governance.
- It covers issues related to electronic records, digital signatures, and the punishment for cybercrimes.
National E-Governance Plan (NeGP):
- The National E-Governance Plan was launched to improve government services through the use of information technology.
- It includes various mission mode projects (MMPs) covering areas such as land records, public distribution system, and online services for citizens.
Digital India Initiative:
- The Digital India initiative aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
- It focuses on various pillars, including digital infrastructure, digital services, digital literacy, and more.
- Data Protection Laws: While the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, was introduced in Parliament, it hadn’t become law as of my last update. The bill aims to regulate the processing of personal data and establish the Data Protection Authority of India.
- Right to Information Act, 2005: The Right to Information Act enables citizens to access information held by public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability.
- Cybersecurity Framework: India has been working on strengthening its cybersecurity framework to safeguard critical information infrastructure and protect against cyber threats.
- Aadhaar Act, 2016: The Aadhaar Act provides a legal framework for the issuance and use of Aadhaar numbers, facilitating targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits, and services.
While there isn’t a single E-Governance Law, the existing legal framework addresses various aspects of digital governance, data protection, and cyber activities. The legal landscape is dynamic, and there may have been developments or new legislation since my last update. It’s advisable to refer to the latest legal documents and announcements from the relevant authorities for the most current information on e-governance laws in India.
