Pain points in e-Governance – 5 : Longer Decision/Approval Cycle

 

Longer Decision/Approval Cycle

 There is one legal maxim "Justice delayed is justice denied". 

All e-Governance projects need many periodical decision/ approvals in terms of implementation, upgrades/enhancement, procurement etc. at various level, which are very critical for effective service delivery. 

Due to various fear factors like Audit, Inspection, RTI etc., decisions are often delayed and referred to committees or pushed to higher level. Invariably these committees consist of Administrators and subject matter specialist from various institutes, if the decision involves huge cost, a political head will also be a part. Due to various background, diversified knowledge level of committee members and also diversified implementation approach of committee, decisions are delayed. Many times, decision are delayed due to lack of data, too many options, lack of resources, time etc., etc.,

Meanwhile a decision/approval is in process’s, 

a. hardware will reach end of life, with our support

b. Software technology may become obsolete

Due to delay in decision, projects hardware’s which has completed its life cycle will be forced run, without support from OEM, since a file is already in process for procurement, no new purchase is allowed. By the time Change request is approved the developer contract may be at the flag end stage or could have terminated or in extreme case the technology itself become obsolete.  

If application is enhanced and hardware's are not procured, upgraded application may be forced to run on lower versions of hardware or the other way. Many times, hardware may be supplied and application may not be ready or the other way, since usually files will be different for procurement and development. Many times, both hardware and application may be there, but no man power to run the system or team may not be full, even if manpower is there, there may not be proper capacity building etc., etc., it’s a never-ending misery.

There is a need for a leader who understand the ecosystem holistically, rather than task wise. And he has to  take strategic and tactical decision in time bound manner for day to days e-governance. 

However may be the, duration and the nature of decision/approvals are, the projects will run or limp or crawl, but rarely get terminated. The fact remains that, every citizen pays for these projects.  

 Power Corridors whispers "Not to take decision is also decision"

Disclaimer: Purely personal opinion. 

 

Meeting

 

 

Comments

  1. MamthaJune 14, 2021 at 10:24 AM

    Yes, absolutely right. The decisions need to be taken from higher authority as e-Governance is technical project has to take some decisions on immediate basis rather than waiting for approval/ file movement.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 14, 2021 at 10:30 AM

    Very good one sir. Since past 70 years we are compromised with delay in the government works. If any file suppose to pass from one table to another table it will take its own sweet time also, we have to pass something under the table to pass files above the table. Even sakala is not that effective due to lack of work ethics in govt sectors. Under your leadership e-Office implemented in all the departments of the GoK. Hope post that, files are moving fast. It's not enough One or Two officers like you in each departments work for good. It is required 100% involvement of 100% staff of each departments. Then only we can achieve 100% of good governance. Jai Hind .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:18 PM

      Thank you. Hope, days to come we will definitely see some positive changes.

      Delete
  3. UnknownJune 14, 2021 at 10:39 AM

    These problems remains with a few state governments. E governance system in central government is progressing despite many hurdles. RTI has brought accountability in procurement and can not be a hurdle in progress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:20 PM

      Yes, i too believe e-Governance is solution to most of issues, if it is judiciously adopted.

      Delete
  4. Prathap ParasharJune 14, 2021 at 11:58 AM

    Very true Sir! It is imminent that delays are due to officers ‘playing safe’ OR some of our processes being too archaic!

    While we have many constitutional principles, it is also necessary to inculcate ‘values’ to follow in the bureaucracy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:22 PM

      Perfect, its high time to inculcate values to government employees, again and again.

      Delete
  5. KaveriJune 14, 2021 at 12:08 PM

    Very well articulated on the pain points wrt to the e-Governance projects executed at various levels. Any successful projects had to undergo an extensive rigorous planning phase. How effectively are we investing in planning phase is a big question. Most of the time we see or avoid investing much time in planning phase and directly jump into execution phase, which invariably leads to many collusion, hurdles and find no ends for the project. It is very critical to involve all the stakeholders of the project in the planning phase whilst preparing a complete inclusive timelines of the project with more realistic approach. By involving all the stakeholders specially the decision makers at the early stage of the project may reduce or to an extent avoid any further delays in the project at the later stages.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:23 PM

      True, directly jumping into execution phase, with out planing and proper documentation is one of the major source for project failure.

      Delete
  6. UnknownJune 14, 2021 at 12:40 PM

    At the outset we have too many service based issues when we are addressing a larger group of people, here the oblique fact is too be transperant and when the global technical initiative are made so eligible in terms of banking, e commerce etc why so laid back in e governance. Planning and execution are the Managerial qui which works. To implement so many documentation and trial run is what major world has implemented. To run the project is what we should aim, the real interface is the end results.


    While we have many constitutional principles, it is also necessary to ‘values’ to follow in the Bureaucracy window.

    Technology is transperancy and hurdles are just a cup of make over.
    Boon to system.
    We are so laid back in our state and country which shows our federal system of governance central and state. In terms of inculcating the project we are still looking to adapt.

    Further more we are not up to the required publishing strategy.

    Even though your hard work and vision Mr prabhakar h love it's of no use as the execution is so delayed where are we heading.

    This is a bane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:26 PM

      I agree sir, bureaucracy should stick to values at all time.

      Delete
  7. Ajayna3June 14, 2021 at 1:49 PM

    Closing statement is a wow one. Not working is also decission, and any wrong decision would be on the pocket of paying citizens. Those who should be taking decisions for huge investment are not educated about it or maybe not not even read or do proper homework. I guess the problem is more in the ecology of the system, as you say.

    If the people involved in the system work effectively to make it run at its best, without getting biased, keeping ego aside etc. . Before the procurement, in the planning stage and come up with something which is close to foolproof (ofcourse on papers) and sticking on to the plan majorly. Things might be a bit better than now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DRJune 14, 2021 at 2:52 PM

    This is very true... But... It's a thing involving many individuals with or without vested interests, mindsets, etc... Therefore there seems to no technical or methodical solution to this problem...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:29 PM

      I agree, until unless, we adopt ethics and value for public service, this may go on.

      Delete
  9. Deepa LJune 14, 2021 at 4:42 PM

    Beautifully articulated.

    In my opinion the traditional approach of file movement through hierarchy of officials often delays the process tremendously.
    Judicious use of traditional file method plus slowly transitioning to electronic paperless approvals with strict timelines might help in reducing the hassles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:30 PM

      Thank you. Yes electronic file movement (e-Office) has brought lot of changes.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousJune 15, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    Democracy means delay..We need to live with it for sake of democracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:42 PM

      I can understand the sarcasm and the pain sir. but not necessarily democracy means delay. Democracy or system goes with majority. Now majority needs to demand for positive change.

      Delete
  11. LokuJune 16, 2021 at 1:10 PM

    A preconception in major % of Indian population is a correspondence or a work in any government department is delay.(either public work or work inside office). I myself had to take help of RTI in many instances to speed up the work.
    The project like sakala, rti have also failed to wake up officials. Take a decision is a responsibility which no one is ready to take. Passing the ball again n again untill the purpose of passing is forgotten. Don't know still how many generations required to change this kind of work culture.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prabhakar HLJune 16, 2021 at 9:36 PM

      Yes, many times we have witnessed "Passing the ball again n again untill the purpose of passing is forgotten". But there is hope.

      Delete
  12. UnknownJune 16, 2021 at 9:36 PM

    Super sir

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJune 16, 2021 at 10:07 PM

    Not to take decision is also decision"this is most painful story here if it's changed then it would be most helpful to everyone .

    ReplyDelete

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