A Study on the Digital Divide and the Use of Technology among the Tribes in Odisha with Special Reference to Kandha Community of Rayagada District

Abstract

In the process of digitalization of governance and service delivery make the democratic process of people involvement more enlarge. The utilization of Information and Communication Technology helps the people to access the governance services. e-Governance or digital service delivery on the part of Government and services access digitally on the part proved a way for good governance. Mo-Seva Kendra and Janasunani Portal are the example of Odisha Government’s digital initiative for digital service delivery and digital grievance registration respectively which have a great important in e-Governance process of Odisha. Digitalization or use of ICT in services delivery and getting the grievances from the people in respect to local issues stand as a way for good governance by bring transparency, efficiency, timebound, accountability, responsiveness, effectiveness, equity, inclusiveness in day-to-day process of governance. But now a days some groups of people or communities are far away from the benefits of e-Governance initiatives because of digital divide. There is a gap among the individual in accessing services of the government with ICT. Now in the age of ICT the marginalized group of the society especially the tribal people. Several adverse factors are the cause for such limitation. This article seeks to analyze the existing digital divide and the factors which are responsible for such digital divide in respect to the Kandha Community of Odisha.