Open government data: beyond policy & portal, a study in Indian context

Open data is expected to enhance transparency, accountability and collaboration with citizens for government. Governments at all levels across all continents are therefore taking Initiatives to release their data in open domain. Open government data initiatives generally begin with a directive or a policy followed by a setting up of a data portal. All government agencies under the jurisdiction are then advised to contribute datasets in open format on the data portal. These contributing agencies face a lot of challenge right from understanding open data, capacity to compile good quality data, technology integration, potential apps, availability of funds and allocation of duty to institutional support. There is a need to enable and equip these government agencies with necessary skillsets to contribute high quality datasets. Departments also need to be equipped with necessary technology & administrative support to engage with Citizens willing to use data in open domain. Effective collaboration with community is also necessary to achieve potential use of datasets released. Further provisions should also be made in policy to achieve its institutionalization in the departments to achieve sustained release of high quality, high value datasets over a long time.