From Charu: Simplification of language, information availability, moves in In dia (fwd)

[Sanjeev Sabhlok <sabhlok@almaak.usc.edu>]

Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 11:53:08 -0400
From: Charudatt <charu@iced.com>
Subject: Simplification of language, information availability, moves in In dia

This is marginally related to this thread, but in the vein of
simplification and openness it may be valuable to look over the US govt
Paperwork Reduction Act. One link is at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/EOP/OMB/html/disem.html

An Excerpt:
"The information policies contained in the PRA and Circular A-130 are
based on the premise that government information is a valuable national
resource,
and that the economic benefits to society are maximized when government
information is available in a timely and equitable manner to all.
Maximizing the
benefits of government information to society depends, in turn, on
fostering diversity among the entities involved in disseminating it.
These include for-profit
and not-for-profit entities, such as information vendors and libraries,
as well as State, local and tribal governments. The policies on charging
the cost of
dissemination and against restrictive practices contained in the PRA and
Circular A-130 are aimed at achieving this goal."

Also see http://www-a.blm.gov/nhp/NPR/paperred.html

          The following two items in SiliconIndia  may be of interest to
this group:
          [from http://www.siliconindia.com/itnews.html#6-98.1   ]

Naidu's plea on Right to Information Act 
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu suggested early
enactment of the Right to Information Act, digitization of all
public-domain
information and specific legislation for communication and information
technology. 
 Mr. Naidu said in a submission paper to the prime minister that a
digital signature act should be enacted for facilitating use of it since
communication is at
present governed by three different laws.  The paper also recommended
creation of a separate Ministry of Information at the Center by merging
the
departments of telecommunication, electronics and Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting in view of the technological developments
blurring the
boundaries between computers, communications and broadcasting. He
suggested a 'deregulation czar' for the IT sector for reducing red tape,
saying
administrative reforms were necessary for cutting down on paperwork. 
 The document said a national data protection policy should be
formulated to effectively handle cyber infractions in the form of
pornography, racism and
prostitution. 


Software to check corruption 
Where anti-corruption rules and regulations have failed, an Indian
Administrative Service (IAS) officer is hoping that a computer program
designed by him
will help cut down corruption at the lower level in the district
offices. The software has a simple design which allows for incorporation
of all application
forms reaching an office into a collective data pool. The data of each
official of the district can be centrally monitored. 
 The computer facility has been installed at the district office at
Saket in South Delhi. Copyrighted to Deputy Commissioner (South)
Gyanendra Dhar
Badagyan, an IAS officer of the 1991 batch, the computer program is
called Suwidha, an acronym for "Special user-friendly window for
deadline-based
handling of applications." 
 When an applicant reaches the South Delhi district offices, he need
only go to the Suwidha counter and submit his application. He is given
an
acknowledgment slip which mentions the basic information along with the
date when he will be able to collect the certificate. Mr. Badagyan
decided to
embark on this project as he was disturbed by rampant corruption. It
took him over two months to design the software. The software eliminates
the need
for the public to interact with the lower-level staff, thus bringing the
possibility of corruption at that level to a minimum.