Information Technology
Information Technology [IT] and Governance
Information Technology (IT)
which enabled computers and tele-
communication to converge has
revolutionised the working environ-
ment throughout the world. Today,
information technology is a meta-
resource and computers are being
used as a meta-tool and a meta-
medium. Capability for sharing
information, knowledge and experi-
ence without physical proximity
through computer networks has
enhanced the perceptual, conceptual
and physical understanding of the
world as a whole.
Development of Information
Technology
The first generation of infor-
mation age was characterised by
relatively straight forward automated
data processing. The technology
called Compact Disc-Read Only
Memory (CD-ROM) has enormous
capacity of containing and retrieving
billions of information. The second
generation has moved to automated
decision making more technology
based on telecommunications and the
so called information superhighway.
The third generation of IT is mobile
telecom age with satellite and wire-
less towers as the new technology
decision-support system, expert
system and electronic mail putting
every member of an organisation in
direct communication with everyone
else, even around the world through
internet.
Application of IT in Gover-
nance
Data are raw, unanalysed
numbers and facts about events,
whereas information results when
data are organised, analysed and
processed in some meaningful way.
The more accurate the information,
the higher its quality and more
comfortably an administrator and
manager who can rely on it in taking
decisions. Therefore, IT has made
administration more accurate, less-
time consuming and also hassle free.
The foremost application of IT is
in planning and decision-making. All
PD/August/2007/247 We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.
the data for planning and decision-
making is currently made available to
Central Government after its con-
solidation first at the district level and
then at the state level. This process
suffers from inherent delays. With
application of IT, this process can be
made more speedily and also an
interactive process. IT may be also
useful in bringing decentralisation.
People have long been a
harassed lot in their relationship
with the government. The proverbial
babudom with endless forms, regu-
lations, by-laws, paper work, delays,
secrecy, authorisation and negativism
have also troubled people for easy
accessibility of information. IT enables
citizens not only easy access to
information, but also empower them
to oversee governmental functioning.
Utility services like railway reserva-
tion, traffic management, electricity
billsetc., are made more convenient
for people with the application of IT.
IT also makes citizen-govern-
ment interface more smooth
services likeregistration of vehicles,
monitoring of traffic, violation
through smart card, public distri-
bution system, immigration infor-
mation, monitoring and manage-
ment of public health, water and
power supply, property tax and
monitoring of primary education.
The democratic government
should not only be elected by the
people but should also have credibi-
lity in the eyes of the people. Appro-
priate use of various techniques of IT
would surely enrich a democratic
culture by garnering greater support
of people for government.
During recent times, IT has
enormously helped to fight corrup-
tion. IT promotes transparency in
governmental functioning thereby
corruption related with secrecy gets
minimised. In India, former Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC) helped
IT for highlighting civil servants who
are involved in some corruption
charges.
History tells us that science of
operation research, developed during
world war in U.K., changed the
Vinay K. Dubey
whole scene of war. Similarly, the use
of satellite computer and commu-
nication system made gulf war one
sided. In similar way, IT has potential
to revolutionize whole police ser-
vices. In police servicesIT can be
used in : (i) Proper display of infor-
mation, (ii) Computerised enquiry
system, (iii) computer print out of
FIR, (iv) detection of interstate crime.
For any institution, reformatory
process should be a continuous
process. IT has wide applicability in
administrative reform. If govern-
ment is permanently presented as a
M-triangle with three sides represent-
ing Machinery, Methods and Men.
With the help of IT machinery of
government can be rationalised. IT
enables an organisation to have free
Machinery M Method
triangle
Men
flow of communication system, there-
by middle level of organisation gets
sidelined. Therefore, IT promotes
flattered organisation and also
reduces problem of red-tappism.
Methods or procedural aspects of
organisation are also streamlined
with application of IT. IT promotes
transparency in governance by pro-
viding greater access to information
with in organisation and outside of
organisation. Men, or personnel
aspect of organisation also gets
boosted up with application of IT. IT
promotes decentralisation of autho-
rity which enhance morale of per-
sonnel working in the organisation.
IT and Good Governance
There are some typical characteristics
of government and public agencies
that inhibit implementation of good
governance. These are(i) Mono-
poly, (ii) Unwieldy in size, (iii)
Trapped inextricably in cobweb of
rules, (iv) Providing scope for
exercising arbitrary and extra-consti-
tutional authority, (v) Personnel
policies.