India and the US have held the first ever meeting of a bilateral working group on information and communication technologies and discussed approaches that could be taken to create an investment and regulatory environment in the fast-growing sector.
Source:  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/14091106.htm

The success of this agenda depends upon few inevitable factors. These are:

(1) Transparency in dealings,
(2) Citizen centric interactions,
(3) Enforcement of RTIA-05 in its true letter and spirit,
(4) A sound e-governance and e-commerce base,
(5) Decentralised activities, etc.

Till now, we have none. The ICT is meant for the citizens at large and not government. If its benefits cannot be availed of by the common man, there is no use of merely following the tag of "technologically advanced country". The net effect of any project must be evaluated. E-governance is not computerisation alone but an effective utilisation of Information Technology for the common benefit of public at large.

The government is always conscious of its "superior status" and direct interaction between it and the citizens is a rare sight in India. The private-public efforts are not confined to the process of hiring the "services of few" but people at large have to be involved. Now only God knows what government did with the suggestions and recommendations provided by members of the public from time to time, including those that it received for the proposed IT Act, 2000 amendments.

Another questionable exercise of the government is the “selection and appointment” of various “experts”. I never saw any “diversity” or “experimental hiring”. The same old pattern and selection procedure continues with no contribution from citizens.

In short, yes the bilateral working group efforts can be appreciated, but the big question is:

WILL THAT CHANGE THE POSITION IN INDIA NOW?

Regards

Praveen Dalal
 http://www.blogger.com/profile/8339811
Arbitrator, Consultant and Advocate
Supreme Court of India.
Tele: 09899169611.