Abstract:

Digital India Programme is the application of ICT in the processes of government functioning to bring about –SMART Government. Digital India Programme has brought a new revolution in the field of governance. It brought rapid development of digital infrastructure, improved universal access through Information and Communication Technology, and digital empowerment of citizens. It has encouraged wider participation of citizens in public affairs, improved the process of governance, encouraged quick decision-making, and improved delivery of services to citizens i.e. the hallmark of good governance. It has brought transparency in government operations, downsizing the government workforce, re-engineering of the service systems, performance management, and emphasis on delivery of reliable and quick public services. Over the last few years, there has been a sudden rise in the online services provided by the municipalities. This allows citizens to access multiple citizen services through a single window, and through a single account instead of having multiple visits to individual websites of local authorities. Thus, digitalization helps in making the availability of municipal services in a more responsive and transparent way. Lots of changes have been witnessed in the way the Jammu Municipal Corporation was running in the last decades of the passing century. These changes forced the governments towards new techniques and technologies for good governance agenda. The ICT and Digital India Programme implemented by JMC has improved efficiency, enhanced quality of services, improved overall trust between citizens and JMC, increased accessibility of JMC services, increased transparency in the functioning of Municipal Corporation, reduced the time limit for providing services, enhanced capacities and performances of JMC, increased citizen participation and reduces corrupt practices. In the present paper, the focus should be laid on identifying the various online services provided by Jammu Municipal Corporation, their benefits, certain challenges which the JMC is facing in the delivery of services.

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