MCA Plans for Technology as a Service Offering
By Muntazir Abbas
Delhi, Sep 05, 2008 1710 hrs IST

With an aim to deliver comparatively faster e-corporate services under the flagship of e-governance initiative, the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) has aggressive plans to transform technology as a service through its MCA-21 initiative.

"Better MIS management, business orientation, and adoption of multidimensional approach are crucial", said J. Sathyanarayana, IAS officer and CEO of National Institute of Smart Governance (NISG). He said that there is a need to offer value-added services to business community through the upgradation of MCA-21.

The transition management has become a critical part of this project. The infrastructure of MCA-21 includes a data center and more than 20 back offices, as well as a government security repository in Delhi and disaster recovery unit located in Chennai. The formation of the e-governance plan for all states is underway. It is expected that a common infrastructure will be ready by March 2009, according to official sources.

MCA-21 already operates as a single Web portal for the resolution of multiple corporate issues. Through this, corporate and businesses can have access to various services including e-filing, online incorporation of companies, registration and verification and request for certified copies, as well as registering the complaint and tracking transactional status.

Jainder Singh, IT secretary of Government of India said that the system is already running and there is a need for mutual partnership in redefining MCA-21. "It is a comprehensive system for the delivery of corporate affairs."

Giving another view, joint secretary, Government of India, Prakash Kumar said there is a need to check money-laundering through this initiative and the information should be made available to other enforcing agencies.

Reinforcing the statement, R. Chandrashekhar, additional secretary, e-Governance, DIT, GoI said that one should not sit on the laurels of achievements. "Improvement is required. In a federal structure, there are certain limitations, but we should look at international benchmarks. NISG is working on e-bills and MCA can provide better joint services in future."

The program however, needs technology implementation to simplify, and for the usage and strategic control through Web 2.0 technologies.

"There should be an easy access and single window interface, while unnecessary processes should be eliminated," said Joan McCalla, fellow with IBSG, Cisco. She said that there is a need to reduce red-tapism and non-performing companies should be listed in order to make MCA21 more efficient.

Anurag Goel, secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs focused on the need to use artificial intelligence for early alerts on corporate frauds. "Effective regulation besides service delivery is critical, and it may take 3-5 years to make the system up and running."

He said that free-flow of information is crucial in future. "With the Company's Bill in Parliament, the new role of MCA-21 will be spelt out soon. MCA21 is an effective and outcome-oriented program and we should aim at what business will be in the next five years," said Kiran Karnik, former Nasscom chief.

Since the program is derived through government's vision to introduce a service-oriented approach in the design and delivery of various government services in order to establish a healthy business ecosystem, there is a need to educate and train all stake holders said Manoj K. Arora, director with MCA.

"We see a tremendous growth in social networking these days. There is an instant need of corporate networking, so that the business community can come together for a cause," said Rahul Bedi, director- Corporate Affairs, Intel South Asia.


Related links:
Can e-Governance Root Out Corruption?
MTNL Buys 500 e-tokens for MCA 21