ASDP-2022 adopted to lay down principles for data accessibility

GUWAHATI: The State Government adopted the Assam State Data Policy-2022 (ASDP-2022) with the objective of laying down the principles and direction on data accessibility in both human-readable and machine-readable forms.

It is the first of its kind in the state. The government entrusted IAS officer Dr Jeevan B as the chief data officer to implement ASDP-2022. The Department of Personnel issued a notification to this effect recently.

The notification said that the Chief Data Officer is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the State Data Policy for data management and governance to help collect, collate, process and publish data in line with ASDP-2022.

ASDP-2022 is necessary for safeguarding citizens' right to privacy toward data-driven governance with data derivatives serving as a public good to enhance government efficiency, improve access to quality public services and delivery of citizen-centric benefits, and help advance digital transformation. It will also lay the foundation to build a social registry for efficient and targeted public service delivery.

The ASDP will promote data usage as a valuable asset across departments, institutions, and autonomous bodies of the stategovernment, thereby contributing to the overall growth strategy for the state.

Benefits of ASDP-2022 are –

(i) Equity of data access: The ASDP practice of open access data will ensure better access to all bona fide users.

(ii) (ii) Maximizing data use: Access to government-owned data will enable the more extensive use of the information to deliver services and facilities in an efficient and transparent manner.

(iii) Maximized integration: The adoption of common standards and best practices across various datasets and MIS (Management Information Systems) would facilitate the integration of individual datasets.

(iv) Interoperability to avoid duplication: The need for separate bodies to collect the same data will get minimized by facilitating the sharing of required data across departments. It will result in significant time and cost-saving in data collection and also elicit a rounded perspective on the performance of government initiatives and schemes.

(v) Better decision making: Availability of data will enable data-driven decision-making along with avenues and platforms for monitoring, reporting and planning.

(vi) Better tracking for policy implementation: Real-time availability of data will allow and open pathways for live tracking of policy implementation and impact, especially for welfare schemes.

(VI) Enhanced and efficient delivery of services: Data sharing and interoperability through this policy will be instrumental in reducing leakages and plugging loopholes in the delivery of welfare services.

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