Abstract

RURAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH E-GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES IN INDIA

Shubham P. Varpe*, Vaibhav D. Andhale, Prathamesh B. Kadu, Alfej A. Tamboli, Vishal S. Balme

Abstract

Amongst the emerging Asian Economies, India is a nation with 70% of population living in rural areas, which casts pressure on Government to focus more on development of Rural India. ICT acts as a provider of major opportunities to rural livelihoods and contributes towards poverty reduction. Productivity of rural areas can be enhanced by usage of ICT. Through various E- Governance initiatives like EChoupal, Akashganga, Gyandoot, Tata Kissan Kendra, Kissan Call Centres etc., Government of India has ambitious objective of transforming the interaction of citizens with government in an electronic form. Through this, Government can ensure more transparency and better administration. Through this paper, an attempt has been made to identify various building blocks that have led to rural development through various ICT initiatives.

Keywords: digital divide, digital India, e-governance, ICT, rural development.