NIC, NASSCOM invite developers to develop apps

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The National Informatics Centre (NIC), in association with NASSCOM has organized a conference on "#OpenDataApps for Innovation in Governance", to boost innovation through Open Government Data and engage start-up & developer community to build an open data ecosystem.

The Government of India, under the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), is in the process of proactively releasing a large number of Government datasets from various departments to enhance delivery of government information, foster innovation; promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.

"Today, we have released the data portal, which is the single window access to Open Government Data. The portal would have a significant impact on enhancing the reach and accessibility of Government services and information though innovative apps around the Open Data," said NASSCOM in a press release.

The Open Government Data initiative of India is not only a step towards greater transparency, accountability and citizen engagement in governance, but also a platform for innovation, the release added.

"In last few months, around 49 departments have contributed their data and it has grown from less than a hundred few months back to over three thousand now," said NIC.

According to release, The Government of India is opening thousands of datasets on Data Portal.

"The need of the hour is to ignite the data-driven innovation in order to make the Open Government Data initiative more relevant and useful for citizens," added NIC.

"The Open Data Apps Challenge is an important initiative to harness the benefits and power of Open Data. The datasets released on the portal get added advantage through visualizations, enhanced presentation, discoverability & usage. This contest would further enhance the usage of Open Government Datasets."

Some of the apps developed during a pilot exercise includes an app on Mandi Prices, Export Import policies, Postal services, habitation level facility of Piped Water and Sanitation.

These apps are available through http://data.gov.in and one can install those in a Smartphone or access using a Web Browser for availing enhanced Government information and services.