What do you understand by interoperability in e-governance? What steps have been taken by the government to ensure interoperability and integration of various e-governance systems?

Interoperability in e-governance:

1. It means that various levels of governance processes are interconnected.
2. By using one platform - a user should have access to other systems too (eg. Bharat Bill payment).
3. This increases ease of living and governance as both user and provider (government/private/Business) is easily using such systems.

[Steps to ensure interoperability & Integration are:]

1. To have interconnected systems to ensure all information at one place (eg) Digilocker for all certificates.
2. To have single window approvals through such systems (eg) PARIVESH portal for environmental clearances.
3. Government websites and their departments are connected under gov.in systems.
4. JAM trinity and Aadhar revolution has helped in identification and KYC functions at many places (eg) Aadhar - COWIN link.
5. To have flexible systems for easier transition from physical governance to e-governance (eg) Aadhar seva kendras to update records apart from the portals.
6. States and state-centre interoperability is also being built for single window processes (eg) state govt websites having URL for national websites.
7. IndEA architecture for e-governance.

But concerns to such systems:

• digital divide - TRAI- only 43% have
• missing out on beneficiaries - Aadhar-MGNREGA Seeding in Jharkhand led to denial of Ration
• cyber crime, privacy - Aadhar data leakage