General Comments by India on the resolution on “Role of Good Governance in promotion and protection of human rights” at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva
(6 October, 2022)
Mr. President,
India is committed to providing good governance that is pro-people, proactive and guided by the ‘citizen-first approach’. Our Government has been consistently working towards the goal of bringing government closer to our citizens. It ensures that they become active participants in the governance process and makes the engagement meaningful with the mantra "Minimum Government - Maximum Governance".
Information and communication technologies have played a significant role in achieving our goal of good governance for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development, leading to digital transformation of India. Our developmental agenda has focused on deployment of digital technologies to improve the service delivery of government programmes. Our biometric-based unique identification system - ‘Aadhaar’, now covers more than 95% of the country’s population, facilitating access to a range of social protection services.
Mr. President,
The widening "Digital gaps” and "Digital knowledge gaps” among and within countries is unsustainable. Growing digital dependency in the post-COVID era has exacerbated risks and exposed consequences of digital inequalities. This gap, if not bridged through appropriate financing and technology transfer, can create new fault lines. Upskilling in digital sectors, closing the gaps in ICT infrastructure and facilitating technology transfer of relevant product and services should be prioritised for international cooperation.
In this regard, we welcome the draft resolution and the proposed panel, which focusses on the different kinds of digital divides, its impact on human rights and the need and importance of using good governance to address them.
I thank you, Mr. President.
