The Indian Prime Minister recently presided over the 35th installment of Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) – an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiative that incorporates both Central and State government actions. A total of ten projects were reviewed during this meeting, which involved a combined investment of Rs. 54,675 crore. Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana was also evaluated.
PRAGATI: An Overview
Established in 2015, PRAGATI stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. Involving interactions between central and state governments, this multimodal platform was created by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) team, with assistance from the National Informatics Center (NIC).
As a platform, PRAGATI enables the Prime Minister to engage with pertinent central and state officials, equipped with comprehensive information and cutting-edge visuals that accurately represent the current on-the-ground situation. This unique platform integrates three state-of-the-art technologies – digital data management, video-conferencing, and geo-spatial technology. The system operates on three levels: the PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and the Chief Secretaries of the States.
The Objective Behind PRAGATI
The primary goal behind the PRAGATI platform is grievance redressal. Alongside this critical aim, other objectives include programme implementation and project monitoring.
The Significance of PRAGATI
PRAGATI directly contributes to the promotion of cooperative federalism by encouraging interaction between the Secretaries of the Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States. The platform represents a robust system for e-transparency and e-accountability, allowing for real-time presence and exchange among key stakeholders. It is considered an innovative project in the realms of e-governance and good governance.
Concerns Surrounding PRAGATI
Despite its apparent advantages, the PRAGATI platform has raised some concerns. For instance, some argue that the direct interaction between the Prime Minister and state secretaries, bypassing the involvement of political executives from the states, underpins the state political executive’s authority. Critics suggest this process is leading to a centralization of power in the PMO, an office that operates outside of the existing constitutional framework.
Overall, PRAGATI is an ambitious initiative designed to bring about pro-active governance and timely implementation of government schemes and projects. While the platform has been instrumental in encouraging transparency and efficiency, it’s essential to address the concerns raised to ensure the system’s long-term success and effectiveness.
