The problem with Indian version of ICT development is that the adopted strategies and planning in this regard are not only unscientific but equally unproductive. It seems the concept “disguised unemployment” aptly applies while selecting various experts for meeting this job. Instead of a homogeneous group of experts who can substantiate and supplement a sound ICT planning and strategy, the preference is given to selective experts of a single type. This not only results in a higher rate of investment and learning cost but equally the success rate is almost missing. Thus, instead of sanctioning of a huge budget in the form of “e-governance initiatives” the same must be first bifurcation on a scientific basis. Different units and stages of a project must be financed independent of each other. Another area of concern is the lack of transparency and co-ordination in the governmental functioning. The government experts do not wish to allow any external expertise and “public participation” is a rare sight there. Though, the face saving exercise of inviting “public comment and suggestions” is often followed in India but by and large that remains an empty formality. I my self send “recommendations and suggestions” for the proposed IT Act, 2000 amendments but they were not even “acknowledged”. This happened despite the fact that the e-mails were duly send simultaneously to all those addresses that were “officially” given by the government itself for communication purposes.

Another area of concern is that the government, for reasons best known to it, does not wish to wither away its traditional mode of functioning and any new innovation, technology and effective measure is protested and guarded against as an “alien enemy”. For instance, the IT Act, 2000 was enacted in the year 2000. After the lapse of almost 5 years we have no effective infrastructure for either e-governance or e-commerce. The will seems to be missing here. The government is also fond of cautious approach and it prefers to adopt foreign models instead of finding and applying the grass root level solutions. It is difficult to digest that developed countries standards can suit Indian socio-economic conditions. India must actively come forward to encash the benefits of ICT with a scientific and systematic approach. It should neither blindly follow foreign models nor wait for things to happen by miraculous chance. The fill in gap actions need to be avoided and something original must be tired. The endeavour of the government should be maximum happiness for maximum people. The government has to analyse the grass root problems as local problems always have local solutions only. The recently enacted Right to Information Act, 2005 must be used to keep a watch over Government policies and these policies must be questioned whenever unproductive resource utilisation is there.

At this point it would not be unjust to remind the citizens of India their solemn Fundamental Duties, as contained in the Constitution of India. The companies must also come forward and contribute in every sense for the development of ICT in India in its true perspective. They have a Corporate Social Responsibility that must include this agenda on a priority basis.

Finally, a million dollar question is what is the role of Seminars, conferences and discussion groups? Are they instrumentalities for further subjecting the underprivileged class and advancing their own interests or the interest of developed countries only? Does their role and duties are fulfilled the moment they organise such conferences or discussion groups? I think the answers to all the above questions must be in “negative”. I had an experience of participating in many discussion groups and some of them were the most “populated” ones in their respective field. But my experience with them is that they are meant for advancing their own interests and under the garb of and behind the façade of “human face” there lies the ulterior motives. It is not enough if we give our discussions and commitments just a “human face” but we must also enrich them with “human dignity, humanity and a commitment of well being for all”.

Let us hope that the proposed second World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) will make a big difference in this regard.

THANKS

Praveen Dalal
Arbitrator, Consultant and Advocate
Supreme Court of India.
Managing Partner-Perry4law (Legal Firm), Delhi, India.
Associate Partner- Legal Solutions India (Legal Firm), Delhi, India.
Tele: +91 9899169611.
Mail:

perry4law@yahoo.com

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