Grant Amount: US$ 15,019

Keywords: INTERNET, GOVERNANCE, POLICY, RURAL, INDIA

Geographic coverage: India

Objective

The objective of this project is to develop strategies and policy recommendations for integration of information and communications technology (ICT) interventions in rural Karnataka, India.

Research context

The Karnataka Government has initiated a range of e-governance initiatives for enhancing rural development. The implementation of these initiatives, however, has not had the expected impact for the rural population due to insufficient inter-departmental coordination and lack of integration with private sector organizations working on similar initiatives. This research project develops strategies and policy recommendations for integration of ICT interventions in rural Karnataka, encompassing available infrastructure, applications, information and human resources with the aim to accelerate rural development through leveraging ICT interventions.

Target beneficiaries

Integration of ICT interventions benefits the rural community of Karnataka, the local government and the private sector.

Outputs

• An interim research report that analyses preliminary findings of the research; and
• A final report with research findings, policy recommendations and practical implementation methodology for effective integration of ICTs in rural Karnataka.

Research results and outcomes

At the time of writing no final report was available on this project. At the time of the interim report, much of the proposed research on the provider side had been completed and a number of conclusions had been reached. However, the final goals of proposing systems that could provide the rural population of Karnataka with ICT-based multi-sector advantages and initiating private entrepreneurship models that could make the ICT schemes sustainable, had not been reached.

The project began by examining the existing infrastructure, services and human resources provided by government authorities, non-profit organizations and the private sector. The project produced a compilation of ICT initiatives across the state that profiled 36 organizations. Government departments were profiled in the sectors of public administration, communication, energy, agriculture, commerce, financing, taxation, education, health and family welfare. Also profiled were private sector companies that manufacture ICT equipment and provide ICT services for rural communities, a nationalized bank providing micro-credit services in Karnataka, and a number of non-governmental organizations working on rural ICT initiatives. This compilation was regularly updated during the course of the project as more information became available on the various stakeholders.

Preliminary research found that most initiatives are planned with a pilot-based approach and in many cases rely on funding and subsidies to make the model a success. None of initiatives studied were economically sustainable through private enterprise on a large scale. The researchers found little integration either within sectors or across sectors. Although service providers indicated they understood the relevance of collaborating with others, concern over the dilution of their distinct mandate resulted in a lack of action. The potential for collaboration is further hampered by the lack of an apex body that is analysing the needs of the community in relation to the services being offered. Thus the larger context in which the various sectors function has not been presented.

Two technical issues were revealed in the review. First, nearly every service provider identified the power situation in the state as being a major bottleneck to ICT initiatives. Many pilot projects have addressed this issue through the provision of power supply equipment such as uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units and diesel generator sets, but these were not considered adequate in the long run. Renewable energy devices have been considered, but the high capital investments made them prohibitive. The second obstacle is that connectivity was found to be unreliable across rural Karnataka, although the project noted that efforts using a variety of technologies were being undertaken to address this problem.

At the time of the interim report, the researchers had yet to map the needs of the villagers and cross-reference these with the services that are being provided. The mapping is intended to draw on surveys conducted in two villages where ICT initiatives are operational. Since to date, no reports were available on the projects assessment of community needs, it is difficult to assess the use, effect and impact of services being offered to the rural public using ICTs.

Project Duration

Start Date: December 2003
End Date: July 2004
Total Duration: 8 Months

Contact information

Dr. Purandar Chakravarty
Centre for Environmental Studies
The Energy and Resources Institute
4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlut II Stage
Bangalore 560071, India
Telephone/Fax: +91 80 535 6590 / 95
Email: purandar@teri.res.in

Website: http://www.teriin.org