Most of the services are provided by the government in Jammu and Kashmir through online mode.
The government has already ordered officers concerned to ensure no service remains offline. It has also directed concerned officials that no applicant needs to visit any of the government offices for availing any services. As rightly underlined by the concerned headquarters, transparency and early deliverance of services are synonymous benchmarks of good governance.
The government has maintained that Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a model of digital government across the country with focus on transparent and accountable governance.
IT interventions and several digital initiatives, according to it, are bringing transparency in the system and streamlining the public service delivery system for the welfare of the common masses. The administration says that it aims to establish a system which enables people to access high-quality services anywhere, anytime, on any device.
The administration has underlined that it is soon going to integrate all its online services with the auto-appeal so that all the services are provided to its citizens as per the timelines specified in Public Services Guarantee Act for these services for the benefit of one and all. The PSGA gives the legal right to public services, and provides for sanctions against officials who did not comply with the required procedures and deadlines.
According to official claims, J&K is number one in the ranking of UTs in e-governance. Host of initiatives like e-office, BEAMS, Awam ki Awaaz, MyGov, e-Unnat, Digilocker, Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani, government says have brought transparency and accountability in governance across J&K.
While the government has succeeded in digitizing all the services, the focus should be laid on timely delivery of services and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in managing the affairs of government departments, the Chief Secretary has rightly emphasized.
There is a need for the concerned officers to achieve desired results especially for the purposes of work estimation and their identification. The government must address various issues that may crop up from time to time.
Importantly also, there is a need to run campaigns for generating awareness among masses about modes and means.
There is a continuous need for virtual inspections of the offices and works on a regular basis. Also regular feedback must be obtained from people about the quality of work being done in their areas or any grievances they have against any of the government departments. The administration should ensure an environment where citizens would avail any services without having to physically visit any of the offices.