1. Definition:
“E-Government refers to the use by government agencies of
information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet,
and mobile computing) that have the ability to transform relations with
citizens, businesses, and other arms of government. These technologies
can serve a variety of different ends: better delivery of government
services to citizens, improved interactions with business and industry,
citizen empowerment through access to information, or more efficient
government management. The resulting benefits can be less
corruption, increased transparency, greater convenience, revenue
growth, and/or cost reductions.”
Phases:
Gartner, an international consultancy firm, has formulated a four-phase
e-governance model. It demonstrates the progression of e-governance
in the connected environment and identifies strategy and other factors
that contribute to success in each phase.
According to Gartner, e-governance will mature according to the
following four phases.

2. In the phase one, e-governance means being present on the web,
providing the public (G2C and G2B) with relevant information.
Internally (G2G) the government can also disseminate static
information with electronic means, such as the internet.
In the second phase, the interaction between government and public
(G2C and G2B) is simulated with various applications. People can ask
questions via mail, use search engines, and download forms and
documents. These save time. Internally the government organizations
use LANS, internets and email to communicate and exchange data.
With phase three, the complexity of the technology is increasing but
customer value is also higher. Complete transactions can be done
without going to an office. Examples of online services are filing income
tax, filing property tax, extending/renewal of licenses, visa and
passports and online voting. Phase three is made complex because of
security and personalization issues. In this phase, internal (G2G)
processes have to be redesigned to provide good service.
The fourth phase is the when all information systems are integrated
and the public can get G2C & G2B services at one counter. In this phase
cost savings efficiency and customer satisfaction are reaching highest
possible levels.