Data Governance

• DATA GOVERNANCE QUALITY INDEX DGQI survey assesses different Ministries /Departments' performance on the implementation of Central Sector Schemes (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). Its objective is to assess data preparedness of Ministries / Departments on a standardized framework to drive healthy competition among them and promote cooperative peer learning from best practices. It will immensely help improve the implementation framework of government policies, schemes and programmes to achieve the desired goals.
• Major themes of DGQI include Data Generation; Data Quality; Use of Technology; Data Analysis, Use and Dissemination; Data Security and HR Capacity & Case Studies.

PUBLIC INTENT DATA

• World Bank’s World Development Report, titled ‘World Development Report 2021: Data for Better lives’, has highlighted the concept of Public Intent Data.
• data collected with the intent of serving the public good by informing the design, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of public policy, or through other activities.
• Relevance: acts as a prerequisite for many government functions and can improve societal well-being by enhancing service delivery, prioritizing scarce resources, holding governments accountable, and empowering individuals.

What is the role of data in governance?

• For digital economy growth: India has second-largest internet users in the world and powered its digital economy.
• Better decision making: rapid technological advances led to large volumes of data by various activities increasing the dependence of business on data-decision making
• Political accountability: Open government data generate economic value, and improve the quality of federal initiatives. Big Data analytics in government could transform government programmes and empower citizens to improving transparency and enabling the participation of all stakeholders
• Citizen empowerment: Digital India Program growth in digital infrastructure and initiatives in innovating e-governance policies that can lead to digital empowerment of citizens.
• Prevents leakage: Real time monitoring of Direct Benefit Transfer, also lead to need based improvisation in the governance without any lag.
• Efficient administration: Actively engaging policy makers and researchers crucial for making targeted and tailored programmes

Challenges

• Collection of data: from multiple online and offline channels.
• Political will for utilizing data in governance
• Privacy concerns: Internet Crime Report for 2019, India stands third in the world among top 20 countries that are victims of internet crimes.
• Funding & Innovations: While access to personal data has skyrocketed, funding targeted towards cross-disciplinary research on data governance has remained limited.

Utility of Data in governance in India

• There are a few large data projects that seek to improve delivery of government services, boost private sector opportunities, all the while enhancing the state’s law enforcement and surveillance powers.
• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI): stores all biometric and demographic details of Aadhaar card holders.
• National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): in wake of 26/11 attacks as a unified intelligence database which would collect data and patterns, such as immigration entry and exit, etc.
• Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): to integrate all courts, police stations, prosecution, forensic science laboratories and jails
• DNA Databanks: The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill of 2018 seeks to establish regional and national level databanks for both criminal and civil matters
• Big data: Big Data and associated analytics are beneficial in various areas, such as solving traffic problems in cities; targeting healthcare delivery; efficient supply chain management; preventive steps for environmental protection; etc.
  
  

Way ahead

• Open Data Policy: Holistic decisions if government  share data in their possession.
• Sharing and monitoring can make a democratic and cost effective governance process
• Capacity building: Technological companies and start-ups, which can offer solutions in data analytics by managing massive, complex data, need to be encouraged.
• Funding the innovations and research
• Legislative reforms: ensured that the information is not distorted; not disclosed; not appropriated; not stolen; and not intruded upon within specified rules and guidelines.
• The proposed “Data Protection bill” and the report by Kris Gopalakrishnan committee
• data protection and privacy regulations and guidelines, as exemplified by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, is prerequisite.

Quality data, if analysed at the right time, can be critical for programmatic decision-making, efficient delivery of schemes, and proactive policy revision.