Evolution of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and digital governance became the key enablers for open data initiative of the government to become more open, responsive, inclusive, transparent, accountable and efficient. Through the e-governance initiatives governments worldwide are focusing on the concept of open data and its huge potential to bring positive changes to the socioeconomic value by developing and disseminating information within a vibrant mixed economy comprising of open source, government bodies, business houses, and hybrid solutions of various forms fueled with the sharp elevation of digitization. This study demonstrates assessment of open government data initiatives by the geometric mean method (GMM) of analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Few key factors i.e. people, technology scope, policy, economic and institution were identified which have a very strong impact for any e-governance initiative.

The most powerful weapon on the earth is public opinion [Paul Crouser] Governance encompasses not just government, but also the civil society, the systems, the procedures and processes in place for planning, management and decision-making. Fostering sound public judgment through informed and thoughtful debate is one of the key aspects of the Good Governance. The growing use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools is resulting knowledge based societies and providing greater avenues to the informed masses to participate in the development process. Provision of 'Anytime-Anywhere Access' to government information and services through Internet has been an important facilitator of Good Governance.

This chapter analyzes the impact that an open data policy can have on the citizens of India. Especially in a scenario where government accountability and transparency has become the buzzword for good governance and further look at whether the availability of open data can become an agent for socio-economic change in India. What kind of change it can bring to India which has its own complexities when it comes to socio economic issues and whether the steps taken by the government are up to the mark to address these complexities through data sharing. In order to understand the changes which may occur for the good or the bad, the chapter looks at specific examples where the open data platform have been utilized in India and what impact they have had on the Indian society and how the citizens have responded to it.

This chapter analyzes the impact that an open data policy can have on the citizens of India. Especially in a scenario where government accountability and transparency has become the buzzword for good governance and further look at whether the availability of open data can become an agent for socio-economic change in India. What kind of change it can bring to India which has its own complexities when it comes to socio economic issues and whether the steps taken by the government are up to the mark to address these complexities through data sharing. In order to understand the changes which may occur for the good or the bad, the chapter looks at specific examples where the open data platform have been utilized in India and what impact they have had on the Indian society and how the citizens have responded to it.

The NeGP (National e-Governance Plan) aims at integrating information network at the district, states and national level to a common e-information grid, which would help faster and transparent dissemination of information to the citizens -Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India on 14th October, 2006.The above statement by Dr. Kalam encourages fusion of eGovernance with Right to Information. The Constitution of India has declared that fundamental right to speech and expression and also the fundamental right to life and liberty should include the right of the citizen to access information. The land mark act has come into force from June 2005 which is known as "RTI Act 2005".To ensure equal opportunity to urban, semi-urban and rural mass and to have proper coverage of the information across India -a vast country with diverse backgrounds, ICT based solutions becomes a major driver. It helps the government to serve the people better with quick response rates and ensuring the availability of sufficient resources with maximum reach which results in increased social and economic benefits.Indian RTI Act 2005 envisage for a citizen to seek for information from any of the government department/organization(s)/NGOs termed as Public Authorities (PA), virtually on any issue by filing an RTI request to the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO). In case the information seeker does not get the information sought for within stipulated time frame of a month or is not satisfied with the information provided by the PIO can prefer an appeal before 1 st Appellate Authority (AA) of the concerned department/ organization and subsequently before the 2 nd Appellate Authority i.e. Central Information Commission (CIC). Alternatively one can also file a complaint with the CIC in case RTI regime has not been put in place by the Department/ Organization.In order to facilitate those citizens who files appeal and complaints before the Commission; two simple user friendly online forms (The Citizen Module, http://rti.india.gov.in) have been designed in congruence with the RTI Act. Whereas on the other hand an internal workflow system has also been designed, developed and implemented within CIC (The Administrative Workflow Module), which ensures proper monitoring of the entire activities during disposal of a case since its filing.