Essay writing on E-Governance as an effective tool to curb Corruption
in 600 words
Answers
E-governance or electronic governance can be described as the government’s attempt to form a better link with the citizens. As the name suggests, it involves the usage of electronic platforms to provide information and services to the public, to businesses and departments that work in tandem with the government. Over the last few years, e-governance has emerged as an effective tool against corruption.
E-governance, with its dependence on information and communication technology (ICT) tackles corruption in many ways, starting from the personal, the organizational, departmental, state and even the national level. The focus on each level remains the same- providing effective services and genuine information to whosoever may need it, while rooting out corruption at each stage.
On the grass root level, e-governance reduces the need for a common man to interact with government officials. Since many processes and procedures are automated, the official’s role is reduced to either processing or providing the required information or services. With limited contact, there is lesser probability of demanding bribes. It is the system that takes precedence over the operator, unlike in the past, when people were at the mercy of public servants. Thus, the system in itself is a deterrent to bribe seekers.
At the organizational level, e-governance helps optimise time and resources. With all work related data available, employees are pushed to render the services in a timely manner, without any undue delay. Any unnecessary delay can quickly come under the scanner, since all transactions are recorded. This not only increases the efficiency of the organisation, but also brings about transparency in operations. Additionally, it presents a clear picture of the performance of employees. Thus, any undeserving employee (if any) can be shunted out and the industrious ones can be recognized and awarded in a completely fair manner. Such principled work ethics also inculcate a sense of righteousness in the officials, thus further discouraging corruption.
With various departments having converted to e-governance, a lot of unnecessary paperwork has been eliminated, thus reducing the chances of human errors. For instance, earlier, handwritten notes on official documents were passed on from one department to another. At times the note was illegible or a signature was missing, or even worse, files went missing, because of which an individual had to go through days and even months or harassment before eventually resorting to bribing another official. E-governance has standardised procedures in place, which has greatly reduced the reliance on personalised signatures of government authorities. Also, if the paper file goes missing, or the dealing official goes on leave or gets transferred, the public does not have to chase him down to get their work done. With all the relevant information already in the system, another official is bound to take up the case. An important aspect of e-governance is that it promotes accountability and even decision tracking, which is particularly useful in case of erring officials.
As each state of a nation sends in its reports under various heads, traditionally, there is a lot of paperwork and data involved. With stakes being high, the data and reports were earlier altered according to convenience. E-governance however has brought all this information into the public realm, effectively displaying information publicly, thus making it difficult to tinker with figures, for monetary gains. The approach seeks to keep all stakeholders informed through updates on the various projects undertaken by the respective state governments.
E-governance plays a major role in curbing corruption since it empowers each citizen with access to relevant information. Thus, a responsible citizen will be aware of how to go about reporting a corrupt official, or what the status of his tax returns is, or know whom to contact in case of any other grievances. The emphasis is on a public centric manner of governance rather than the bureaucratic set up. Keeping the interests of the citizens of the nation in mind, e-governance is a good attempt at reining in corruption at all levels.
Answer:
E- governance introduces competition which improves services level and reduce the corruption. All the E- governance application focuses on a single objective that is to reduce corruption. E-government introduces transparency in all its decisions, actions, performance, rules and all kind of data.
The introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) can reduce corruption by improving the enforcement of rules, lessening the discretion of officials, and increasing transparency. ... E-governance provides new sources of corrupt incomes for ICT professionals.
E-governance is used, being considered an efficient and effective mean to improve public transparency and reduce corruption.