7. Accountability, Transparency and Sustainability in Governance: Can Rural Broadband be a Game-changer?

Abstract

Transparency and accountability is crucial to sustainability of any system. Transparency of a governance structure is ensured if there are robust and reliable processes of information sharing. Accountability comes with effective feedback and redressal mechanisms. In this context, use of technology by way of rural broadband connectivity can greatly help in making rural governance system more transparent, accountable and hence more sustainable. This article details various methods of using rural broadband for deepening the democratic processes through Panchayati Raj in India. The use of rural broadband to communicate, train, educate, deliver, mobilize and finally evaluate can truly play a transformational role in India’s rural governance systems.