E-governance in Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Introduction

Haryana, situated in northern India, shares borders with Rajasthan to the south, Himachal Pradesh to the west, Punjab to the north, and the Delhi region to the east. Chandigarh, serving as the capital of both Haryana and the neighboring state of Punjab, was established on 1 November 1966, making Haryana the 20th largest state in India by area. The creation of the state was facilitated by the Punjab Reorganization Act (1966), and the Shah Commission, formed on 23 April 1966, played a pivotal role in delineating boundaries and recommending the inclusion of certain districts into Haryana. The economic prosperity of Haryana, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, has shown consistent growth since the 1970s, making it the most economically developed region in South Asia.

The Haryana Government, under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) sanctioned by the Central Government, has prioritized the implementation of mission mode e-governance projects. Various high-powered committees have been established to ensure a transparent and efficient system. This includes making all departments accessible through the National Information Centre, Haryana State Centre, and Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation. The introduction of district-level IT societies, state-level IT Steering Committee, State Technical Committee, and IT Initiative Fund has further streamlined the approval process for departmental IT action plans. Notably, over 119 IT-based project proposals from different departments and organizations have received approval.

In essence, governance in Haryana involves providing services that facilitate interaction and decision-making among people, processes, and systems. The protection of legal rights for all citizens is paramount, ensuring that public services contribute to the equitable distribution of economic development benefits. Transparency in administration and the swift implementation of schemes are essential, with governmental accountability being a fundamental requirement for all activities.

In 2014, the Haryana state government implemented the Haryana Right to Service Act with the aim of enhancing transparency and accountability. The primary objective is to streamline and expedite the delivery of services provided by various government departments. Numerous initiatives have been launched to introduce e-governance in Haryana, with ongoing efforts at various levels to simplify and enhance public service delivery.

To advance the process of computerizing government departments, efforts have been consistently made, focusing on improving administrative efficiency, civil service center orientation, and transparency. The state of Haryana has dedicated resources to bolster wired and wireless infrastructure, allocating optical fiber for all 5,620 villages under the National Optic Fibre Network Program. This initiative ensures 100 Mbps internet connectivity for every gram panchayat, aligning with the state government's communication and Information and communication policy to guarantee high-quality telecommunication infrastructure.

Haryana has successfully transformed into a digitally active knowledge economy. A committee was formed under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Ministries, and Bureaucrats, following a notification issued by the Governor of Haryana on February 16, 2015. The committee, established under the letter no. Administration/423/ISIT/2084, is tasked with delivering e-governance services to support the Digital India program in the state.

Over time, Haryana has taken significant steps, akin to milestones, to enhance digital infrastructure, facilitate the digital distribution of civil services, and empower its citizens. These initiatives underscore the state's commitment to embracing digital transformation and promoting a technologically advanced and citizen-centric governance model.

Research Objective

To study e-Governance initiated in Haryana

Research Methodology

The methodology employed for this research exclusively relies on secondary data. The information is obtained and compiled with the assistance of online sources. Following the collection of data from diverse sources, a comprehensive analysis is conducted, and the findings are synthesized in order to examine the current state of e-governance in Haryana.

E-governance Initiatives in Haryana State

CM Window Haryana: The Public Grievance Redressal System and Monitoring System, known as CM Window Haryana, have been implemented in the state to enhance transparency in the governance system. This platform ensures the immediate resolution of public grievances. Launched formally on December 25, 2014, in commemoration of the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday, the system is strategically designed to achieve the dual objectives of minimizing administrative complexities and maximizing governance efficiency.

Public Health Engineering Department Haryana: The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in Haryana has introduced a range of e-governance services. These encompass a tailored Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integrated solution, a billing information system for water and sewer (BISWAS), and the Civic Housing Centre (SNK).

National Rural Health Mission Haryana: The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Haryana integrates a range of interrelated activities, incorporating an online portal for drug inventory and Haryana's Supply Chain Management System (ODISCM). This ongoing process aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of rural development. The system ensures the continual availability of medicines in adherence to the new drug policy of the Haryana Government. It further guarantees the delivery of medicines, emphasizing quality control in the procurement and distribution processes.

Food & Supply Department Haryana: The Department of Food and Supplies in Haryana has instituted e-governance in the public distribution system, encompassing ration card management, allocation, supply chain management, and ration distribution through Aadhaar authentication. Implemented as part of the Targeted Public Distribution System (in Ambala), this pilot project has positively impacted over 13 million beneficiaries under the mission mode system. Additionally, the digital ration card has resulted in Haryana State Kerosene becoming freely available to the beneficiaries.

Transport Regulatory Work: In numerous sub-divisional magisterial offices, the computerized issuance of driving licenses and registration certificates for vehicles is currently underway. To facilitate this, the National Software System has been adopted as the standardized approach throughout the state. This adoption has led to a noteworthy increase in revenue collections.

Transport Roads: Haryana Roadways has undertaken a comprehensive computerization of its operations, covering traffic and route management, inventory management, vehicle monitoring systems, purchase order modules, service book records, including audits of cards and increments. Additionally, an online ticket booking service has been introduced for long-distance buses on the main route.

Integrated Financial Management System (PWD): The Haryana Government Finance Department has successfully implemented an online system for communication, release, allocation, revision, and re-appropriation of the budget. This streamlined approach now reduces the budget preparation time from eight months to just two months, reflecting a responsive and responsible governance system. This achievement is commendable.

E-Tourism: The Haryana Tourism Corporation has emerged as a trailblazer in the highway tourism sector, overseeing 42 tourism centers. Adhering to 3B guidelines for the annual Surajkund International Crafts Fair, an online booking system and web portal for e-ticketing have been established. This initiative allows for the complete online utilization of all tourism services offered by Haryana.

Implementation of e-Budget, e-Billing, and e-Salary: The deployment of e-budget, e-billing, and e-pay is facilitated through a web-enabled application developed by both the Haryana state unit and the National Computing Centre. This application meticulously tracks primary allocations and expenses across various heads and schemes. The online application is extensively utilized for electronic budgeting and departmental account management.

Social Justice and Empowerment Department: Within the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, various social security pension plans are provided through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. The department disburses Social Security Pension Schemes to over 24.04 lakhs beneficiaries through DBT, offering nine online social security schemes, including old age honor allowance, widow pension, disability pension allowance, Financial assistance for children (FEDC), inclusive free education for non-school children with disabilities (NSGDC), and allowances for Buddhists and shrewd children.

Haryana Becomes First to Implement School MIS Portal: Haryana proudly stands as the first state in India to register all government schools on a central portal, allowing students to secure admissions in various classes. With over 20 lakh students registered on the central portal, detailed family information, residential addresses, categories, and base numbers are included. The 'Change School MIS Portal' was initiated in the first phase, with subsequent phases planning the registration process for employees and teachers, enabling the publication of sanctioned posts, staff shortages, and facilitating teacher transfers. This initiative aims to alleviate administrative burdens, allowing the education department to concentrate on enhancing educational standards in schools.

Industrial Training Institutes: The initiation of online admissions in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) allows students to apply to their preferred ITI and ascertain their seat allotment status. This approach streamlines the admission process, providing convenience to students and sparing their parents from unnecessary hassles, such as standing in long queues. The implementation of online admission systems in industrial training institutions contributes to enhanced transparency in the admission procedures.

Haryana Knowledge Corporation Limited: Haryana Knowledge Corporation Ltd. (HKCL), through its Learning in IT Career Course (KLIC), endeavors to promote awareness about digital skills. KLIC aims to empower the youth of the state for self-employment and job opportunities. The program will offer certifications in various disciplines, including image editing, content painting, desktop publishing, web designing, 2D animation, video editing, drafting, stationary designing, financial accounting, and more.

E-NAM: The National Agriculture Market Portal has seamlessly connected 54 food grain markets in Haryana, facilitating the computerization of records across all food markets in the state.

E-District Haryana (MP): E-District Haryana serves as an electronic interface between the government and citizens, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of services to the public. The state government has sanctioned the establishment of district-level e-Disha Kendra (CSMQ) at each district headquarters.

Other Administrative Services: The state government has introduced diverse e-services as part of its e-governance initiatives, establishing Common Services Centres (CSCs) in all districts. These services encompass new water connections, sewer connections, electricity bill collection, registration, HBSE result, board examination, admit cards, online admit cards for government colleges, long road book sessions, status inquiries for Kurukshetra University plots, Huda inquiry forms, and Aadhaar birth registrations across almost all districts in Haryana. The state leads as the first in India for this task. The integrated UMANG App portal, available 24/7, provides access to thousands of traditional and offline services from both state and central governments under the Digital India initiative. The national optic fibre network covers a total of 5620 villages.

In Haryana, citizens can access 246 types of online e-services, with 195 services notified under the Right to Service Act. The launch of E-land enables direct government sales, offering services such as registration, e-payment, e-filing, e-tendering, and e-refund to merchants through a comprehensive web platform.

Conclusion & Suggestion

The current governmental transformations, with minimal effort, can swiftly alter the dynamics of the electricity, revenue, and public health departments. It is evident that the government has contemplated these sectors. At present, urban local body institutions offer online services, including registration, birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, house and shop map approvals, fire fighting NOCs, and business license registrations through their respective websites. Governance entails establishing processes and decision-making systems to provide services to the people in a proactive manner. It is imperative to protect the legal rights of all citizens, ensure equal access to public services, and guarantee that the benefits of economic development reach even the most marginalized individuals, embodying the true spirit of Antyodaya. Transparency, promptness in action, and governmental accountability for all activities are vital.

Numerous online services, such as payment for registration, water and sewer connections, property tax bills, and payment receipts, various fees, charges, taxes, online banking on mobile and computer platforms, as well as reservations and job applications, are available through various departments. The implementation of e-governance in other sectors will dispel public misconceptions and provide the government with the advantage of minimizing corruption. This comprehensive approach will not only address corruption at the state level but also tackle the broader issue of corruption across the country.

Despite efforts by governments to combat corruption, meaningful results have been elusive. The success of the e-revolution in developed nations has raised expectations. It is undeniable that continued progress along this path will contribute to a reduction in corruption. However, it is crucial to consider the needs of individuals with limited education and technical knowledge. Empowering them with government support will encourage broader technological adoption. Enhanced e-governance will ensure the swift dissemination of information to the general public, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.