[monsterix]

It is a very encouraging step from GoI, looking at the recent slur about rampant corruption in India [http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4447605]. That said, I do feel that the task of opening the Government doesn't end at launching a portal (yet another CMS) or giving out yet another data-set.

Looking at how much impact these platforms have induced even in developed nations there seems little incentive [some advantage definitely] to pursue such an initiative in a country like India. Millions die of basic malnutrition there, and perhaps their focus should be to make food available to consume, rather than data.

Of course the data will help but aren't we missing the big picture?

It is relevant to note that incentive for active development on Gov data-sets like these (believed to improve the existing establishment) is probably not as attractive an idea as it is to disrupt the legacy itself. That's how the relationship has been between the establishment and disruptive thinkers for centuries.

I mean all this seems like a complicated play of a ton of variables - democracy, education, impact, profit, consumption, need etc. Yet no doubt the launch is certainly a positive one from the largest democracy in the world.

[sandGorgon]

Also, it is relevant to note that incentive for active development on Gov data-sets like these (believed to improve the existing establishment) is probably not as attractive an idea as it is to disrupt the legacy. That's how the relationship has been for centuries.

Actually, it is part of the GoI's "Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy" that was made law. http://www.india.gov.in/allimpfrms/alldocs/16473.pdf

Looking at how much impact these platforms have induced even in developed nations there seems little advantage [some advantage definitely] of pursuing such an initiative in a country like India. Millions die of basic malnutrition there and perhaps the focus should be to make food available to consume, rather than data.

That is an extremely uninformed statement - one of the biggest challenges for efficiency in governance is accountability. Think of the govt. as a large legacy codebase, with the QA being done only by the parliamentarians/senators. Release of data allows QA by the ordinary citizens. India has a judicial process called Public Interest Litigation [1]. Combined with public datasets, it makes for powerful governance.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-interest_litigation_%28I...

[monsterix]

Perhaps you might want to educate me on it with some examples where there has been successful impact on the Government.

"...one of the biggest challenges for efficiency in governance is accountability" is the problem to be solved, not a proof of success of any such initiative. Your argument doesn't seem to explain how we're going to improve the legacy system or even convince the developers to use these data-sets in the first place.

To crave for improvement in the Government (and its positive ramifications) is one thing but to get job done is an altogether different ball-game.

[harigov]

More information always helps - especially in a democracy. This data is not for developers to make use of. It's just data available for everyone to use.