E – Governance

Important Questions and answers

Q.1 Discuss about the emergence of information and communication

technology in India.

Ans In the early 1970s, India began to recognize the potential of electronics and
information technology as a transformative force in governance and
administration. To harness this potential, the Indian government established the
Department of Electronics in 1970, marking the beginning of a focused effort to
integrate technology into government operations. The creation of the National
Informatics Centre (NIC) in 1977 was a significant milestone in this journey, as
it highlighted the importance of information and communication in governance.
During the early 1980s, computers were a rarity and confined to a few
organizations. However, the introduction of personal computers revolutionized
this scenario by bringing the processing power of computers into government
offices. Initially, these computers were primarily used for word processing, but
as software technology improved, they began to support a wider range of
functions, such as managing databases and processing information. The launch
of NICNET in 1987 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of e-governance
in India. NICNET was a national satellite-based computer network that enabled
better communication and data sharing across various government departments.
Following this, the District Information System of the National Informatics
Centre (DISNIC) programme aimed to computerize district offices across the
country, offering free hardware and software to state governments. By 1990,
NICNET had extended its reach from state capitals to all district headquarters.
As technology continued to advance, so did the scope of e-governance
initiatives. By the late 1990s, both the Union and State governments were
actively pursuing projects to improve governance through technology. In 1998,
a National Task Force on Information Technology and Software Development
was established to harness IT as a tool for knowledge assimilation and
dissemination. This led to the creation of the Union Ministry of Information
Technology in 1999. A key development in this period was the identification of
a 12 - point minimum agenda for e-governance in 2000. This agenda included
initiatives such as equipping all government offices with personal computers
and local area networks, providing adequate training for staff, and automating
office procedures. The agenda also encouraged the use of e-mail for internal
communications, setting up online notice boards, and creating websites for each
ministry or department. Additionally, it emphasized the need for web - enabled
grievance redressal systems to improve public service delivery. Overall, the
emergence of information and communication technology in India was a
concerted effort by the government to modernize its operations, improve
efficiency, and provide better services to the public. This initiative laid the
foundation for the digital transformation of India's governance and
administration systems.

Q.2 Explain the applications of ICT.

Ans Harry Bouwman and colleagues identified four main types of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) applications: Information Services,
Communication Services, Transaction and Registration Services, and Integrated
Applications. Let’s explore each of these in simple terms.

Information Services - focus on providing facts and data that help us understand
things better. At the core of these services are databases, which store and
organize large amounts of information. This information can be accessed
through multiple channels, such as the Internet, phone, or in print. For example,
a personal computer allows users to access various online databases.
Information can be categorized based on its nature, such as financial data (like
stock prices), economic information (such as market trends), legal texts,
scientific research, government announcements, news, and educational content.

Communication Services - are about exchanging information between people or

systems. These services can be synchronous, where participants are present at
the same time, like in phone calls or video conferences. Alternatively, they can
be asynchronous, where messages are sent and received at different times, such
as emails. Advanced communication systems include workflow management,
which automates entire processes by ensuring that data is available when
needed. Another example is electronic data interchange (EDI), which allows
computers to exchange standardized messages for transactions, commonly used
in sectors like trade and healthcare.

Transaction or Registration Services - are crucial for organizations to manage

interactions with stakeholders. Internally, these services help monitor processes
and gather data in a central database, which is vital for systems like financial
administration and enterprise resource planning (ERP). Externally, they involve
collecting consumer information and processing transactions, essential for
activities like e-commerce. For instance, organizations can track which pages of
their website are most visited by customers, providing valuable insights into
consumer behavior.

Integrated Applications - combine elements of information, communication,

and registration services. These applications allow users to access information
and perform transactions seamlessly. Examples include intranets, groupware,
and group decision support systems (GDSS). An intranet is like a private
version of the Internet within an organization, offering access to internal
information, shared documents, and communication tools. Groupware supports
collaborative work, while GDSS aids decision-making by providing necessary
information and processing results to ensure systematic decisions. In summary,
these ICT applications enhance how organizations manage, communicate, and
process information, making operations more efficient and effective.

Q.3 Explain the concept of Information Systems.

Ans An information system is a set of interconnected components that gather,

process, store, and distribute information to support decision-making and
control within an organization. These systems help managers and employees
analyze problems, visualize complex topics, and create new products.
Essentially, an information system turns raw data into meaningful information
—data being the raw facts that represent events before they are organized. An
information system operates through three main activities: input, processing,
and output.

Input - involves capturing or entering data through methods like bar coding or
scanning. This data must be encoded into a format suitable for computer
processing.

Processing - refers to actions performed on the input data, such as calculations,

sorting, or classifying. Finally,

output - is the result of processed data, providing valuable information for

decision-making and operations. Information systems are more than just
computer hardware and software. They encompass three dimensions:
organization, management, and information technology (IT).

Organization - involves structured processes that coordinate tasks, like

developing a new product or hiring staff.

Management - involves making decisions and strategizing to tackle business

challenges, allocating resources to achieve goals.

IT - comprises tools like computers and software that assist managers in

adapting to changes. These tools form the IT infrastructure, which supports the
information system. There are various types of information systems, each
serving different purposes.
Transaction Processing Systems (TPS) - handle everyday business transactions,
such as sales or payroll processing. They track transaction flows and provide
data for other systems, making them crucial for business operations.

Management Information Systems (MIS) - cater to middle management by

offering reports on the organization’s performance. These systems use data from
TPS to summarize operations and provide insights into routine business
activities. MIS helps managers monitor and control performance, focusing on
regular reporting rather than complex analysis.

Decision Support Systems (DSS) - assist in non-routine decision-making. They

address unique, rapidly changing problems by analyzing data using models.
DSS often incorporate external data, providing insights into hypothetical
scenarios like changes in production schedules or investment impacts.

Finally, Business Intelligence Systems (BIS) - offer data analysis tools to help
managers make informed decisions. These systems assist at all organizational
levels, addressing strategic issues and long-term trends. BIS helps senior
managers answer questions about future employment levels, industry trends,
and strategic investments.

In summary, information systems transform data into useful information,

supporting decision-making and organizational control. They encompass
organizational processes, management strategies, and IT tools, serving various
functions from routine transaction processing to strategic planning and analysis.