| IX. Organisational Structure For implementing the IT Action Plans Part-I
and Part-II as well as the strategic policies outline in the foregoing the following
organizational structure instrumentalities are recommended:
126. Organizational Structures for deriving maximum
benefit from convergence
Current technological developments are fast blurring the boundaries between computers,
communications and broadcasting. Cable networks can by up gradation of their networks
offer telephone services and telephone companies can compete in delivery of broadcasting
and video services. In future, there will no longer be distinct data and voice markets,
just one for combined data/voice/video. The convergence of the Internet with the telephone
and television will also bring in new dimensions in the IT industry. In keeping with these
trends organizational structures shall be put in place so as to facilitate the much-needed
coherence into the planning and implementation of Information Technology related
initiatives at the national level.
127. Adviser to Prime Minister
A key adviser on IT will be appointed in the Office of the Prime Minister in order to give
proper emphasis and focus to this area. A separate division with an Information Technology
Adviser will be set up in the Planning Commission to provide proper focus on Information
Technology related planning.
128. High level Committee
It is important that the process of defining and implementing a vision for the country is
adequately structured with key 'enablers' in place. This structure will be insulated to
the extent possible form changes at the political level and will also have the credibility
and authority to see the process of planning and implementation to its logical conclusion.
At the apex level a High level Committee on
Information Technology will be set up both at the Centre and in the States. The Committee
should be chaired by the Prime Minister at the Centre and will draw upon the best
expertise available internationally. Knowledge has no respect for national boundaries and
we must attempt to think and act global, while formulating and concentrating our
strategies for the future. Such expertise will be drawn from top level IT practitioners,
academics and administrators. Inputs will, inter alia, also be considered, from industry
sectors including from Small and Medium Enterprises, the exporting community, the media
and mass communication agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations.
129. Task Forces and Committees
Task Forces will be formed under the High Level Committee, which will focus on different
areas of specialisation or clusters e.g. Education, Leisure and Tourism, Health care etc.
Task Groups will also be formed to address issues like Standards, legal and regulatory
matters, funding and management of change.
State Information Technology Committees
will be set up in each of the States chaired by the respective Chief Ministers. The
composition of the State level committees will be left to the individual states for
defining a suitable structure and composition.
130. Chief Information or Chief
Knowledge Officers
Each Ministry/Department will have a Chief Informatics/Knowledge Officer for giving the
process of informatisation. The Chief Informatics Officer will have the visibility and
responsibilities to advise on the design, development and implementation of Information
systems.
A Council of Chief Information officers
will provide an interagency forum for one design, modernisation, use and implementation of
IT applications. The forum will also contribute significantly towards defining standards
and practices among government agencies.
131. Interstate IT Forum
It is important to devise an institutional mechanism for states to coordinate and
collaborate on on-line projects. An interstate IT forum at the national level is necessary
for promoting collaboration across states for delivery of electronic services to the
public. The Forum will facilitate transfer of expertise and technology between state
governments and will co-ordinate pilot projects. The forum will also be set up a web site
for disseminating information among the state governments.
To begin with, a meeting of Chief Ministers
will be held at the national level and a co-ordination mechanism will be evolved for
rationalisation of policies impinging on the Information Technology sector. The
prioritisation of national information Technology flagship applications will be discussed
in the forum. States will be encouraged to set up Department of information Technology and
Technology organisations. The states will also be asked to prepare their Information
Technology plans and accord high priority to the development of information systems and
Citizen-IT interfaces.
The Interstate IT Forums will serve as a
clearinghouse for strategic ideas on use of Information Technology for better government. |
