The State Government of Rajasthan has recently taken a significant step towards transparency and public communication by launching “Jan Soochna Portal-2019.” This portal, first of its kind, aims to offer valuable information about governmental departments and authorities to the public. The portal was designed collaboratively by government officials, IT professionals, and civil society groups, with a focus to elevate citizens’ access to helpful information.
Portal Overview
Specifically, the Jan Soochna Portal is a one-stop platform for details about 13 different government departments. The real-time information available ranges from the availability of food grains & ration shops, implementation of various schemes and beneficiaries, land records, social security pensions, among other things. This endeavour is a leap towards making pertinent information freely accessible to the public.
Access Points
To maximize the reach of this portal, the government plans on setting up information kiosks in village panchayats and self-service e-Mitra centres in towns. This will hopefully ensure people, irrespective of whether they live in urban or rural areas, can access the information provided by the portal with ease.
Operational Details
The responsibility for the development, operationalization, and regular maintenance of the Jan Soochna Portal lies with the Department of Information Technology. An advisory group will be managing the norms, standards, and also monitoring the responsible execution of portal management. To enhance the accountability facet, Grievance redressal officers will be appointed.
Aligning with Right to Information (RTI) Act
The RTI Act was enacted in 2005 with an aim to provide citizens access to information under the control of public authorities. The launch of Jan Soochna Portal aligns perfectly with the spirit of RTI Act. It is an effective measure that ensures compliance with Section 4(2) of the RTI Act that mandates proactive disclosure of information in the public domain.
| RTI Act Provision | How JSP Complies |
|---|---|
| Public authorities to disclose information proactively | The portal provides real-time information, accessible freely to everyone |
| Transparency and accountability | The monitoring agency and Grievance redressal officers ensure transparency and accountability |
| Citizens’ right to access information | The portal is a one-stop platform for various departmental data |
Benefits and Challenges
Jan Soochna Portal is an instrumental stride in fortifying the Right to Information (RTI). It not only brings transparency but also enforces accountability. However, India’s digital gap poses a significant challenge. Ensuring open and free access points for everyone, coupled with the continuity in the availability of information are daunting tasks.
Way Forward
The future vision includes extending the hosting of the Jan Soochna Portal to decentralized locations, including municipal ward and panchayat levels. This expansion will equip people with easy access to welfare schemes, revenue activities such as mining, and other service delivery issues like health and education. In due course, this portal could prove as an effective medium for a digital dialogue with the citizens, promoting transparency in governance. Other State governments are encouraged to follow Rajasthan government’s pioneering initiative, fostering inclusive participation in the governance process.