Digital India 2016 - A glance. By Pavithran
Digital India is an giant leap for Indian society. Though the Scheme launched in July 1 2015, many major initiatives of government and demonetization made “digital India” a buzzword in 2016.
As by Our P.M. Modi, “If we have to build the nation we have to start from villages”. There are still some areas without mobile network coverage, poor accessibility to banks, poor literacy rate and English knowledge. So there are chances for “digital divide” within our geographical area.
Similarly, Reports suggest that digital banking in India is not safe or reliable, due to poor cyber security infrastructure and policy. In October 2016 there was a major hack of credit and debit cards that affected around 3.2 million cards of 17 major banks in the country. The recently launched BHIM App is also criticized for lack of basic security features. The other challenges include poor smartphone penetration (only 34.8%), huge unorganized labour workforce, uninterrupted power supply for smooth e-transactions. Shortage of Point of sale machines and reliability of digital economy in Natural disasters like Vardah cyclone pose questions.
Digitisation in the current scenario can not be avoided as the world shifts to digital mode much faster. And there are many advantages in Digital Economy both directly and indirectly. The main advantages include prevention of corruption, black money and tax evasion. It prevents stagnation of money and fastens circulation.
As 120 million peoples of India are daily associated with paper documents the need of paper is increasing which leads to the various negative environmental consequence. It also reduces travelling to get government services (by online submission of documents, digital signatures, video conferencing), thereby reducing vehicular pollution. So Digital India has Environmental benefits too.
It also put forward transparency and accountability in governance system. For example, Mygov app which act as interface between citizens of India and the government. Even normal layman can give his suggestions to the government. In a democratic system engagement of citizens in decision making is a key step. And it can be achieved through e-governance.
And public participation in policy making is increased with the digital social media platforms. Obviously, the Most innovative citizens management award Platinum Icon has been received by Mygov initiative and Coimbatore municipal corporation receives silver icon. There are many state government schemes such as amma e sevai maiyam in Tamilnadu, MeeSeva in Andhra Pradesh, Bhoomi project in Karnataka which gives access to various services to masses digitally.
Reports says that by 2020 internet users will be doubled to 750 million, in which 75% will be coming from rural areas. Making India to overcome US in the penetration of internet. This gives a positive note in delivery of digital services by Government.
In the whole, Digital India needs more time and it can not be achieved in a short time. Good initiatives of government should be put forward with better planning and execution to reach out every citizen of the country.
(Pavithran is a graduate in Agriculture. He is interested and passionate towards Politics. sripaviips5@gmail.com)
Image source: digitalindia.gov.in,mygov.in
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