m-governance

Mysore, Karnataka, India is on the way to mobile-governance.

A local paper reports:

Mysoreans can SMS their problems, which have been categorised into codes based on their kind and emergency, in a prescribed format. Problems relating to water, road damage, non-clearance of garbage, streetlights, illegal activities, stray animal menace and even official misconduct are some of the categorised varieties.

Identifying the complainant’s name, location and problem, a computer generated message is sent to the mobile phones of the field officials concerned, who are required to take action within a stipulated time.

m-governance:

m-Governance, simply, is using mobile/wireless technology, by the goevernments, to offer serivces and improve their efficiency.
It is a part of m-development, where development in all spheres is achieved using wireless technology.

Wireless technology helps in connecting all the remote regions in the country. Mobile technology is cheaper than Internet (used by kiosks), which makes it a better medium to provide service.

China, Macedonia, South Africa, Dubai, Singapore, Russia have already tried this form of government. Faziabad has also been checking out the possibilities of shifting to m-governance.

MCC drafting such plans is a positive effort. Its great to see a government body taking steps to attend to people's problems, using technology.Application of technology to provide direct services as these, should be recognised and implemented by all govt.s.

With all its limitations, technology is to benefit the lives, not to complicate it.