Aiyer calls for involvement of rural economy in e-Governance

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Sports and Youth Affairs Mani Shankar Aiyar today called for a more active involvement of rural economy in e-Governance in the backdrop of dismal show of the country in the Human Development Index (HDI), presently positioned at number 127.

''We rank eighth in terms of number of millionaires, but in terms of HDI we are lagging far behind at 127. There is a need for bring out a balance of equity with rural India in e-Governance,'' Mr Aiyar told reporters here.

Speaking at a national summit on 'e-Governance for 10 per cent growth' organised by ASSOCHAM, he stressed for a strategic planning and project development for the wider implementation of e-Governance initiatives.

Mr Aiyar urging ASSOCHAM to deeply involve with the masses manintained that there is a need for bring out a balance of equity with rural India.

National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) Vice President Mahabaleshwar Hedge said the implementation of e-governance would save about Rs 45,000 crore of the state's exchequer.

Information Technology Department Director S Abbasi, while giving a presentation on National e-Governance programme (NEGP) approved by the cabinet, said that it has been created to leverage private sector participation in e-Governance and would focus on Government Process Reengineering (GPR).

Others who addressed the summit include World Bank Operations Advisor Rachid Benmessaoud, Secretary IT Uttaranchal Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary IT Jharkhand RS Sharma, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Head e-Governance Practice Neel Ratan Wipro Infotech VC Anurag Shrivastava and Additional Secretary IT Madhya Pradesh Anurag Shrivastava.

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