E Governance initiatives in Karnataka

Abstract

E-Governance has been recognized as a vital force for improvement in quality, newlineefficiency and effectiveness of governance. Electronic Governance is defined newlineas the application of Information Technology to the processes of newlineGovernment functioning to bring about Simple, Moral, Accountable, newlineResponsive and Transparent (SMART) Governance. Karnataka has been newlineamong front ranking states in adopting e-Governance and has implemented newlineseveral projects for improving the internal effi ciency of the government and newlinedelivering better services to the citizens. The Karnataka Information Technology newline newlineRules, 2007 providesfor a comprehensive process for electronic delivery of e- newlinegovernance services to citizens. This study examines how Computerised Land newline newlineRecords Management in Karnataka (Bhoomi) has brought transparency, newlineeffectiveness and ease in the management and maintenance of the land records. newlineKodagu was selected as the area of study as it has unique land tenure system like newlineJamma Tenure, Jagir, Batamanya, Sarvamanya and Jodi, Mathamanya, newlineGowdumbali andNaimannu,UmbliTenure, Sagu Tenure. The main source of data newlinecollection was through questionnaire and interview with agriculturists, revenue newlineofficialsandinvestorsonlandinKodagu. newlineThe findings of the study show that the project has been beneficial to the newlinestakeholders by minimizing the time and effort in obtaining the required newlinedocuments from land revenue once. With the computerisation of land records, the newlinemanipulation ofland records has come down, asit hasreduced the discretion of newlinevillage accountants to issue the records of rights. Bhoomi has brought down newlinebribery at the grassroot level. Computerisation of land records has lead to newlinetransparency in land records. The transparency brought by computerisation of land newlinerecords has helped the purchaser ofland to get accurate information ofthe seller newlinethrough online portal and can be sure of his investment. However, the study also newlinehighlights the flaws in the implementation of Bhoomi projects like land newlinerecords not being cent percent accurate, server problem, shortage of newlineemployees at Bhoomi centre, and like wise. The findings also indicate that newlineBhoomihasmuch scope forimprovement. newline