Day 18 – Q 4.Examine the way in which technology especially IT tools have been employed by the government to reduce the vulnerability of the poor in India. Have they been successful. Critically evaluate.

4. Examine the way in which technology especially IT tools have been employed by the government to reduce the vulnerability of the poor in India. Have they been successful. Critically evaluate. 

भारत में गरीबों की भेद्यता को कम करने के लिए सरकार द्वारा विशेष रूप से आईटी उपकरण को नियोजित करने के तरीके की जाँच करें। क्या वे सफल रहे हैं। समालोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन करें।

Introduction:

Advancement of Technology, particularly IT (Information Technology) has become a boon to the government in delivery of services which has helped them overcome many roadblocks, especially towards the poor and vulnerable sections of society.  

Body:

How it has been employed:

• Finance: IT has been used to increase accessibility to financial facility and faster clearance of their dues. Ex: DBT for Pahal, MGNREGA etc. Subsidies, MSP, Kisan Credit cards among others.
• Health: In form of Telemedicine, Tele surgery.
• Education: Smart education in backward and rural areas, Common Service centers, Digital literacy etc.
• Insurance: Insurance penetration, damage assessment and limited time period for disbursal of losses occurred.
• Farming: In form of SMS, Telephonic advice and doubt clearance from agricultural experts. E-NAM, E-Mandi facilities, Inter-state sales etc.
• Disaster: Taking preventive measures before any disaster strikes, creating awareness about safety etc.
• Judicial: Tele-Law by NALSA to give free legal advice and Pro Bono services etc.
• Employment: Employment opportunity has been increased through IT enabled services.

They have been successful in several ways:

• Finance: It has made accessibility to formal credit system easier than before. Financial inclusion has been achieved.
• Corruption: It was known that for every one rupee disbursed only 15 paisa would reach the needy. Now that leakage has been plugged.
• Transparency: Wastage of money has been checked and accountability has been ensured.
• Poverty reduction: Recent report suggest that poverty has been reduced and government services are reaching the end beneficiaries.
• Standard of life: Increased opportunities, improved living standards and reduced effects from disasters.
• Social infrastructure: it has helped in strengthening social and physical infrastructure of country. Every village in India has attained electricity connection after 70 years of Independence.

Certain Failures:

• Accessorily: The access to these services has still not reached maximum level. There is long way to go.
• Fraud: Increase of IT related thefts, fraud due to lack of awareness about it in poor sections of society.
• Hindrance to service delivery: In case of Aadhar enabled rations, Agricultural inputs etc.

Conclusion:

Information technology has helped poor and vulnerable section of society in immense ways. It has helped them come to mainstream and enjoy the fruits of development. But there are still certain areas which needs to be addressed at the earliest to achieve its full benefits.  

No Best Answer.