Role of information systems architecture in e-governance: the case of MGNREGS in India

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guaranty Scheme (MGNREGS) in India is mandated to provide employment in rural areas and aims to contribute to the livelihood security of households. The scheme calls for periodic assessment of the scheme with these objectives. It envisages coordinated efforts of administrative infrastructures spanning across all layers of governance systems in the country. MGNREGS needs careful "architectural treatment" since governance expects a coordinated relationship among various constituents to deliver desired services to citizens. This issue becomes is relevant because of the fact that e-governance practices have the potential to contribute. This paper argues that capturing architectural views during early phases of such national level is quite important in order to sustain the established complex relationships among all stakeholders, processes and reflect them in e-governance services architecture. A framework captures architectural issues and identifies possible opportunities for effective management of MGNREGS.