Duare Sarkar (DS) (Government @ the Doorstep- https://ds.wb.gov.in) launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, India, is a two-fold innovative ICT driven administrative mass outreach initiative for:-
(a) time-bound delivery of pro-poor, citizen-centric services through community level outreach camps, attended by government functionaries with IT setup, for enrolling eligible citizens, focusing on senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD), women and the poorest who hitherto faced access challenges, and
(b) addressing locally identified community level gaps related to infrastructure/manpower/ supply & services viz. road repairs, street lights, drinking water, doctors/teachers/ conservancy staff etc. through tailored interventions under a sub-programme, ‘Paray Samadhan’(PS) to better their quality of life.
Selection of services under priority sectors of health, education, social security pensions/support to senior citizens/PwDs, livelihoods support, gender equality etc. under DS, as well as gaps to be addressed under PS, proactively pursue achievement of 10 of 17 UN-SDGs.
Through possibly one of the world’s largest outreach programs, DS promoted education, health insurance and social security coverage, alleviated poverty, positively impacting the lives of millions of citizens. Their response to DS demonstrates its potential, holding much promise, for re-imagining "government" as accessible, accountable and responsive, matching citizens’ expectations.
DS has made it possible to cover the most marginalized and hitherto unreached citizens through a scalable/replicable model that can be adapted/adopted by other governments at all levels - seeking to improve the quality of life of their citizens, ensuring positive impact and outcomes in their lives.
Duare Sarkar (DS) (Government @ the Doorstep- https://ds.wb.gov.in) launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, India, is a two-fold innovative ICT driven administrative mass outreach initiative for:-
(a) time-bound delivery of pro-poor, citizen-centric services through community level outreach camps, attended by government functionaries with IT setup, for enrolling eligible citizens, focusing on senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwD), women and the poorest who hitherto faced access challenges, and
(b) addressing locally identified community level gaps related to infrastructure/manpower/ supply & services viz. road repairs, street lights, drinking water, doctors/teachers/ conservancy staff etc. through tailored interventions under a sub-programme, ‘Paray Samadhan’(PS) to better their quality of life.
Selection of services under priority sectors of health, education, social security pensions/support to senior citizens/PwDs, livelihoods support, gender equality etc. under DS, as well as gaps to be addressed under PS, proactively pursue achievement of 10 of 17 UN-SDGs.
Through possibly one of the world’s largest outreach programs, DS promoted education, health insurance and social security coverage, alleviated poverty, positively impacting the lives of millions of citizens. Their response to DS demonstrates its potential, holding much promise, for re-imagining "government" as accessible, accountable and responsive, matching citizens’ expectations.
DS has made it possible to cover the most marginalized and hitherto unreached citizens through a scalable/replicable model that can be adapted/adopted by other governments at all levels - seeking to improve the quality of life of their citizens, ensuring positive impact and outcomes in their lives.
VISION
DS is formulated and executed to promote education and alleviate poverty. Despite best efforts from government, there was a need to put in place a system to bring most-needy under umbrella of different government schemes. We faced twin challenges of reaching last mile and overcoming digital divide (as most schemes are IT based).
Following WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT and WHOLE OF SOCIETY approaches, DS is designed for bringing government machinery closer to citizens through outreach camps in village/habitation levels. Entire IT paraphernalia was taken to these camps. Community level volunteers were put into service for mobilisation of eligible citizens around their areas and provide needful help.
There is an old adage that says that ‘the King sees, as he listens’. Good governance is the ‘art of listening’ to people’s voices and views and the related capacity to act upon such concerns. DS is a paradigm shift from the traditional public administration to e-governance driven service delivery mechanism, in which the government is found available at the doorsteps of citizens and eager to listen to their needs and deliver services ensuring “Leaving no one behind”. DS holds much promise for re-imagining the governance system to meet the people's aspirations by making it more accessible, accountable, and responsive.
UNITED NATIONS VALUES PROMOTION
DS, backed by West Bengal Government’s strong commitment to uphold community rights and ensure access of citizens to development schemes/services meant for them, is an example of how IT systems can be designed for effective, efficient and transparent governance to provide seamless and universal delivery of services to citizens, irrespective of caste, creed, religion or economic diversity across geographical locations.
Sustained use of ICT networks and partnering with field level change agents including members of community-based organisations and field functionaries in the IEC strategy for DS, made it possible to share all relevant information regarding camp schedules, locations, scheme guidelines including eligibility criteria and other details related to government services/schemes with the grassroots. The success of this strategy is reflected in the high turnout (more than 64 million citizens registered) as well as the significant presence of those who occupy relatively disempowered positions in society like women, tribal folk, transgenders, commercial sex workers and also those living in remote inaccessible geographical areas.
To overcome any communication gaps due to the depth and expanse of DS, multiple channels of communication including the internet, Push SMS, email, Mobile Apps and Helpdesk were set up. The digital environment created for DS, enabling continuous real-time updation even from the remotest corners of the state, and monitoring of coverage, participation and disposal of applications displays the state's commitment to create a robust ICT infrastructure. Daily reports/snapshots of camps and visitors were put in the public domain and shared on the official state government website wb.gov.in. Internet enabled mobile phone-based delivery of services, online applications, digital receipt to reduce usage of paper and contactless delivery are signatures of the state moving in the direction towards Green Governance. We believe that at every step and in every aspect, DS has promoted all of UN values.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMLEMENTATION OF UN-SDGs
DS contributes significantly to UN Action Lines especially in promoting ICTs for development with every participating department implementing welfare schemes through strong ICT backed web portals. DS increased access, accessibility, affordability, digital inclusion and made ICT services and equipment available for inclusion of all.
DS outreach camps become multi-purpose community access points where citizens access official information through a combination of physical and digital modes. Through many community volunteers and of social media, DS created an enabling environment to ensure citizens are able to access services as well as raise issues and demand redress of their grievances. DS brought to common citizens, including those living in far flung and inaccessible areas, the benefits of relevant ICT applications to improve their quality of life.
The state government believes ICT should be used for benefiting millions and that it is a tool for development and not an end in itself. So, gaps seen in implementation of welfare-oriented schemes, were sought to be removed through the DS campaign through the optimal use of IT.
Accordingly, to facilitate change, promoting equity and achieving sustainability in the development paradigm, the state included in DS schemes like Aikyashree, Sikshashree, Krishak Bandhu, 100 Days’ Work - MGNREGS, Kanyashree, Rupashree, Manabik (Pension for Persons with Disabilities), Khadya Sathi, Jai Johar, Taposili Bandhu, Swasthya Sathi, Lakshmir Bhandar, Caste Certificates etc. – all of which have strong linkages with 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More-
- Bangla Awas Yojana – (scheme providing houses to all eligible families)
- Old Age (social safety net to senior citizens above 60 years of age under State and National Government schemes)
- Support of persons with disabilities
- Support to widows
- Yuvashree – (financial assistance scheme for the unemployed youth of the state)
- Loans for Self Help (micro-credit) Group/ Farmers
- Bangla Sasya Bima Yojana – (scheme providing crop insurance coverage to farmers)
- Employment related and
- Land issues related
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