The government has signed a USD 150 million loan agreement with the World Bank to push e-governance initiatives by filling in strategic policy gaps.
“This loan will support critical policy measures within Government”s overall e-Governance reform agenda leading to more robust implementation of NeGP, with significant social benefits for the population and positive impact on the poor,” Additional Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Shankar Aggarwal said in a statement.
The loan will be used to fund policy gaps in promoting e-governance in the country.
“The loan would not be used for specific projects but will help in framing and strengthening of the policy. We will use it for funding the gaps in strategic areas,” explained a DIT official who did not wish to be named.
“Besides, we will get exposure to international expertise through World Bank. The bank official will keep providing us guidance in formulation of policy and including best practices for efficient use of loan,” he added.
The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) is India”s flagship e-governance initiative, aimed at transforming service delivery system across the country.
The loan will support NeGP”s plans to increase online services for citizens and to improve the quality of basic governance.
NeGP aims at electronically delivering government services like issuing certificates, licences and money transactions, without people having to repeatedly visit various offices.
