E-Goverenance and the Challenge of Cyber Crimes in India: Remedies and Future Prospects

E-governance, comprising the use of modern means of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) with internet as its central feature, is the latest mantra of development and a maxim of modern means of communication and connectivity. It is one of the pillars of good governance, infact a prerequisite for participatory governance and inclusive development. The beginning of the last decade of the preceding century witnessed India adopting e-governance which, with the passage of time, has proliferated to both public and private sectors. However, several challenges in the form of cyber crimes, the notable one being e-terrorism, have simultaneously erupted; threatening the very life of the nation and the people at large. The government's response, at best, has been disappointing and its commitment to combat crimes half-hearted. A holistic approach and wholesome measures involving active participation of the legislature, executive and the judiciary are, therefore, imperatively required to safeguard the benefits of the ICTs to e-governance and, at the same time, to save and sustain the project of good governance from collapsing.