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Transparency and accountability are the key mantras of a successful government. Today, India is moving towards m-governance after its foray into e-governance. It's a well known that information and communication technology (ICT) is very critical for processing, storing, organizing, and presenting data and information. The new growth driver now is the mobile phone. It has emerged as an effective tool for good governance in not only facilitating openness and transparency, but also in creating a flow of information between departments, institutions, and various layers of the government.

The reasons for the keen interest in governing through mobile are not tough to guess. As the Indian telecom subscriber base reaches the astounding figure of 500 mn, mobile phones have become the most accessible tool of communication available to such a large population. Thus, making it the best way for delivery of information at the citizens' doorsteps-that too in a personalized way.

While e-governance is more effective in the European nations, this is not the case in Asian countries, mainly because of high teledensity and low PC penetration. This is especially true for India, where PC and Internet usage is comparatively low as compared to mobile phones. The government realized a long time back that mobile is no longer a tool meant only for information and communication. Instead, it's a medium for empowering the citizens and a powerful enabler of good governance.

M-governance can be defined as a 'strategy and its implementation involves the utilization of all kinds of wireless and mobile technologies, services, applications, and devices. It improves upon the benefits for those involved in e-governance, including citizens, businesses, and all government units'.

Worldwide e-government programs, till date, have established user-friendly approaches to access the enormous amount of content that is now available for citizens on an online mode. E-government has done the groundwork for m-government in terms of the fundamental taxonomies.

Equitable Development
On the one hand, m-governance programs have increased the efficiency of governments and on the other they have bridged the difference between the masses and the classes. So, how and what has led m-governance to become the method above the stereotypical government management system? Why is it fast grasping the minds of administrators?

Divyam Srivastava, special secretary, IT and electronics,Government of Uttar Pradesh says, "During the past ten years, we have witnessed how mobile phones and simple functions of voice and text messaging can empower citizens and effect the way citizens interact with each other and with the society as a whole."

The last decade has seen a phenomenal growth in the subscriber base. We have crossed the 500 mn mark with respect to telephone users and adding nearly 12 mn users every month. In the developing nations like India, inarguably, it is the best form of communication application. Managing and buying PCs and laptops is still too expensive for our masses.

Says Anoop Kumar Srivastava, principal secretary, IT, Government of Meghalaya, "There are still areas in our country where even newspapers do not have a reach, while the mobile technology is becoming all pervasive. Moreover, any information sent through mobile is directed to each individual and appears to be giving a personal touch."

Agrees Ajay Kumar, principal secretary and director, IT, Government of Kerala, ""M-governance is an amazing technology as it offers government services on-the-go to its citizens. It extends services from office premises and regular office hours to an anywhere anytime mode."

Growth Drivers
In India m-governance is still at a nascent stage. While many innovative applications are underway in both private sector as well as government domains, it may be a little premature to celebrate its success. However, embracing the possibilities and opportunities that this technology provides will only lead to an effective and cost-efficient way of exploiting the same.

SR Rao, additional secretary, IT, Government of India, says, "One of the biggest driver for m-governance is its outreach. One can, now potentially enhance the outreach to millions of citizens simultaneously at the touch of a button."

Dr A Jayathialak, executive director, rural water supply and sanitation project, Kerala, who pioneered innovative projects like Dr SMS agrees, "Mobile phones travel with citizens, and people have an instant access to services and information through them while on the move."

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