GRAAM has been selected by NITI Aayog’s Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) to evaluate the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project. This recognition marks a significant achievement in our ongoing mission to strengthen India’s democratic processes and support the country’s transition to a digital future.
What is NeVA?
The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) is a transformative initiative under the Digital India program, launched with the aim of making state and union territory legislatures across India paperless. As a Mission Mode Project (MMP) supervised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, NeVA seeks to modernize and streamline legislative processes, reduce the dependency on physical documentation, and bring about more efficient functioning of legislative houses. The project leverages cutting-edge digital technologies to enhance transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance.
Key Features of NeVA:
- Member-centric & Device-neutral: NeVA ensures that members of the legislative houses can access critical documents and participate in legislative business through any device, be it a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. This seamless accessibility optimizes the legislative workflow and enhances the convenience of elected representatives.
- NeVA Seva Kendras: To ensure the effective implementation of the project, NeVA Seva Kendras have been established. These centers provide legislators and their staff with essential training, orientation, and capacity-building support, enabling them to make the most of the new digital infrastructure.
Why NeVA Matters:
NeVA stands as a pivotal project with far-reaching impacts, not only in promoting technological advancements in governance but also in contributing to India’s environmental and sustainability goals. Here are some of the key reasons why NeVA is an important step forward:
- Supporting the Green India Initiative: By transitioning legislative processes from paper-based to digital formats, NeVA directly supports the Green India initiative. This shift significantly reduces the consumption of paper and the resources required to print and manage physical documents, making governance more eco-friendly.
- Reducing the Carbon Footprint: By digitizing legislative operations, NeVA helps cut down on the energy and resources involved in maintaining traditional processes. This reduction in carbon emissions aligns with India’s broader sustainability objectives, contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.
- Enhancing Accountability and Transparency: NeVA introduces a new level of accountability and transparency into the legislative process. With real-time access to documents, streamlined communication, and the ability to track legislative activities digitally, both citizens and government officials can engage more effectively with governance, promoting a more open and participatory democracy.
- Increasing Citizen Participation: The digital framework created by NeVA allows citizens to stay informed and engage with legislative processes through online platforms. This fosters a more inclusive approach to governance, empowering people to actively participate in shaping the laws and policies that affect their lives.
GRAAM’s role in evaluating the NeVA project is a testament to its commitment to advancing democratic governance in India. Through research and evaluation, the aim is to assess the impact of NeVA in transforming legislative processes, promoting sustainability, and strengthening the democratic framework of the nation. GRAAM has covered 16 Indian states and 2 union territories in its evaluation of NeVA, bringing its current geographical footprint to 21 states and 2 union territories.
This achievement reinforces GRAAM’s dedication to harnessing technology and research for the greater social good. Together, the effort contributes to a more transparent, accountable, and eco-friendly India.
