Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department Government of Mizoram
The Government of Mizoram has a dedicated ICT Department to closely monitor the growth of ICT projects in the State. The ICT Department has set up the State Data Centre for data security, and they are also planning to set up Cyber Security Centre, says Dr C Vanlalramsanga, Secretary, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, Government of Mizoram, in conversation with Ritika Srivastava of Elets News Network (ENN).
“Mizoram Government has made computer skills mandatory for entry into government services. We also have e-governance society who spearheads public awareness campaign for e-governance initiatives in the State.”
As e-governance has created a buzz in the country. How do you view it as influencing the administrative style in your region?
E-governance is an important driving force for efficiency in public service delivery and innovation in public administration. The influence of e-governance in a small State with high literacy like Mizoram has been tremendous. However, we will need credible, reliable and flawless internet connectivity to effectively implement e-governance in the State to be able to transform public administration in a very significant manner.
Do you think e-governance is the need of the hour for a developing country like India, especially where access to basic amenities has been a challenge?
The implementation of e-governance will improve public service delivery in the country. The effective use of e-governance will enable the delivery of public services to a large base of people across different segments and geographical locations, and marks a giant step forward towards creating a more inclusive society. However, to effectively implement e-governance, we will have to address digital divide particularly challenges relating to capabilities of the Government to deliver e-government services and the capabilities of the people to avail e-services.
How do you view the impact of e-governance on employment front in the light of high unemployment rate in the country? Kindly give an example from your region.
ICT revolution has put tremendous pressure on Governments to do more with less by implementing e-government; improvement in public service delivery while saving on costs, will enable higher public investments and therefore, generate larger employments. Moreover, e-government will put women in a more level playing field or make them more competitive that will also provide better employment opportunities to them.
What steps have you taken for public awareness with regard to new methodologies of providing services being increasingly adopted by digitised Government system?
Mizoram Government has made computer skills mandatory for entry into government services. We also have e-governance society who spearheads public awareness campaign for e-Governance initiatives in the State.
“Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department has been the first Department to use e-office in the State. Aizawl Municipal Council has also started implementing e-services.”
How do you foresee in the changing scenario of availing Government schemes and services? What are the major challenges?
To effectively implement e-governance, we will have to first address challenges relating to capabilities of the Government to deliver e-Government services and the capabilities of the people to avail e-services. Public Financial Management System (PFMS) is going to change the way Central Sector Schemes are implemented. Direct Benefit Transfer is going to benefit people, but there are many people still unreached by the banks. We will have to first make financial inclusion. Unless these problems are addressed, we will not be in a position to successfully implement e-governance in the country.
What kind of security measures have you already put in place to make the system foolproof from sabotage like recently attempted through ransomware cyber attack?
The Government of Mizoram has a dedicated ICT Department to closely monitor the growth of ICT projects in the State. The ICT Department has set up the State Data Centre for data security, and they are also proposing to set up Cyber Security Centre.
How e-governance is driving the State of Mizoram for its urban development?
The Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department has been the first department to use e-office in the State. Aizawl Municipal Council has also started implementing e-services. Moreover, Aizawl has been selected as a Smart City and our pan-city proposal focuses mostly on digital initiatives. We’ll continue to explore more avenues for e-governance.