Open Data Day Opened the Door of e-governance at Sudurpashchim Province
8 local governments of Sudurpaschim Province celebrated International Open Data Day on March 2, 2019. Out of 8, 7 local governments have celebrated the day for the first time in their district whereas Sanfebagar municipality, Achham celebrated for the second time this year after a huge celebration in 2018. The day’s celebration was specially organized by the respective local government whereas the SUSASAN district partner organizations supported for the success of the day. Different local government had their own priorities on how to celebrate the program in their local levels with the key stakeholders. The major activities carried out by the 8 local governments of Sudurpaschim provinces were;
Sanfebagar municipality, Achham — Presentation on Open Data, Orientation on open data portal and official launch of grievance redressal management system.
Bannigadhi Jayagadh Rural Municipality, Achham — Presentation on Open Data, Orientation on open data portal and official launch of grievance redressal management system.
Jayaprithivi Municipality, Bajhang — Rally, Interaction program on Open Data
Masta Rural Municipality, Bajhang — Interaction Program on Open Data and Smart Mobile set distribution to Woman Health Volunteers
Amargadhi Municipality, Dadeldhura — Rally, Interaction program on Open Data and Orientation on open data portal
Nawadurga Rural Municipality — Interaction program on Open Data and Orientation on open data portal
Dhangadhi Sub Metropolitan, Kailali — Flash MOB, Pamphleting and Presentation on Open Data and discussion
Kailari Rural Municipality, Kailali — Interaction program on Open Data and Orientation on open data portal
The local governments celebrated the day in presence of district level stakeholders, government officials, media persons, CSO representatives and citizens.
Proactiveness of local governments with different activities on the occasion of International Open Data Day celebration was a really good example of moving towards open government. We assume that the local government is gradually becoming accountable towards citizens. Each government heads announced that every information and services are opened for their citizens and every person can get access to the public service and public information. This is a good thing to promote the public sector accountability as well as the concept of open government.
Besides the day’s celebration, local governments also introduced their technology platforms and tools to a large group of people. These platforms and tools were developed on the support of the Sustainable Use of Technology for Public Sector Accountability in Nepal- SUSASAN project. The rapid introduction of the technological platforms and tools and announcement of proactive disclosure of services and information by local government authority is a green signal of accountable government. So, it can be said the trust between citizen and local government is becoming strong and the local government is accountable.
The willingness and readiness of local government were praiseworthy to develop the e-governance system at their local level. They are positive to open the public data for use, reuse and analysis purpose. They want to promote accountability and good governance with the support of integrated technology. Hence the local government used the integrated technology for making their local government smart.
Most of citizen and intermediaries welcomed the initiation of the local government to ensure the right to information and making data open to the people. But they queried the data should be updated regularly and be available.
Overall, the open data day celebration was successfully completed with recent outputs as the inauguration of Techno hub, the official launch of technological platforms, orientation on technological platforms and tools, Smart mobile distribution etc.
Author: Mr. Mahendra B Shahi, Area Coordinator - SUSASAN
