When talking about the emerging Asian economy, India stands out as a nation where more than 70% of the population lives in rural areas ultimately putting pressure on the Government to come up with ideas for rural development. Several e-governance initiatives which are rural development initiatives through electronic means have been set up such as e-Choupal, Gyandoot, Tata Kisan Kendra, Kisan Call Centers, Akash Ganga, and many more. These have been set up by the ICT which provides major opportunities to rural citizens and reduction in poverty and income inequalities. This will help the government to better administrate the country and also transparency.
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technologies and is a wing under the Government which has brought changes in the lives of rural people through better delivery of services even in the remotest corners of the country. Even the Ministry of Rural Development of India has taken initiative at several levels to strengthen the ICT structure and provide information opportunities and easy access to rural development schemes
Look at some of the e-Rural Schemes Tata has put in place
- Gyandoot – started in January 2008 is beneficial since it is owned by the Rural Internet System and helps fulfill the needs of villages in districts. Here the unemployed educated youth were trained and they ran something called the Soochanalay who were also called Soochaks. They provide information related to health, education, agriculture, related issues, and information related to the market. Even help out in application filling for services provided by the district headquarter when related to land ownership.
- Jagriti E – Seva – In developing countries like India, this scheme is very applicable, suitable, and accessible for sustainable technology. When all computers are used, dialogue telephone lines are made available at the kiosk which covers a minimum of 25000-30000 villages and is set up in a busy spot of the village to reach maximum people. Kiosks are based on a franchise structure and it is handled by an educated young man or ex-serviceman. To meet the franchise cost, efficient revenue should be generated.
- Kisan call centers- With the change of 50 km, there is a change in language in India. The call center was set up to resolve this very issue of vernacular language change, it was started in April 2002 by the department of agriculture and cooperation under the ministry of agriculture. This enables the form in villages with appropriate telecom infrastructure. As these villages are technologically backward, the center is specially designed to serve the purpose of creating awareness amongst farmers. Publicity materials that include charts, posters, changing and demonstration programs are also put in place to spread awareness.
- Akashganga –This scheme enables milk producers of rural areas to protect their milk and assist them in managing accounts. The first model was implemented in Gujarat under the Dairy Information System. Here, the farmer has an individual identification card which is used upon their visit to the raw milk receiving dock counter. Upon the emptying of steel drums, the weight of the milk can is measured and recorded on a desktop. Then your technology includes a microprocessor, printer, weight balance, milk analyzer, and display for all these operations and ensures proper milk inventory from the supplier to supply of a stock
