Increased penetration of mobile network, Internet infrastructure, and smart phones have made m-governance the pivot of welfare programme of the government, but it poses challenges of inclusion. Discuss.

M-governance is the part of e-governance and it's the use of mobile technology and information, communication technology ICT for governance purpose and delivery of public goods. M-governance: Pivot of welfare programme 1) JAM trinity: Jhadhan Aadhar mobile trinity providing welfare scheme of government 2) mygov: Platform providing participative governance to citizens 3) Grievance redressal on mobile: Through various apps 4) Geotagging of ASHA: Nouse etc 5) Biometric distribution of ration

Factors providing m-governance: 1) Increased penetration of mobile: As per Internet and mobile association at India IAMAI, average Indian is using 1.39 mobile phone 2) Internet infrastructure: 1) AI per IAMAI, around 40% Indians are active internet users 3) AI per Nokia cellular data report, average Indians using around 30 GB internet per month 4) 4th industrial revolution: Fuelled by internet revolution, m-governance has become easy to adopt. Challenges of exclusion: 1) Rural-Urban divide: ISDII divide exists in terms of non-availability of mobiles in rural area. 2) Issue of internet connectivity in rural area. 3) Gender inequality: Exclusion of women, girls in terms of mobile devices as per men and boys 4) Privacy issues: Non-availability of strict data law for personal data protection

Cyber attacks: India faces risk of largeth magnitude from Fake News (IMF Risk Report) Way Forward: Issues of exclusion need to be resolved 1) Steps to address digital data protection: Digital Data Protection Bill, 2023 2) Legal and institutional infra-structure for tackling cybercrime, m-governance is the tool of 21st century provided it ensures equity in price deliver

— ABHISHEK ABHAY OZARDE · AIR 336