ROLE OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATION IN TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF E-GOVERNANCE WEBSITES IN KARBI ANGLONG, ASSAM

Abstract

Abstract: This research paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the effectiveness of e-governance websites for tribal development, with specific focus on communication analysis in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) region of Assam, India. The study employs a mixed-method approach combining qualitative communication analysis of government web portals with quantitative assessment of service delivery outcomes. Primary data collection includes user feedback from Public Facilitation Centers (PFCs) operating under the Sewa Setu initiative, while secondary data encompasses official records, policy documents, and comparative analysis with peer autonomous councils. The research evaluates the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council's digital governance ecosystem, including recent initiatives such as the launch of departmental websites for Information Technology and Art & Culture. The analysis reveals significant progress in e-governance adoption within Karbi Anglong, particularly through the Sewa Setu initiative operating under the Assam Right to Public Services (ARTPS) Act. Key findings include: (1) successful transformation of service delivery through Public Facilitation Centers enabling online applications for caste, income, and senior citizen certificates; (2) distribution of over 1 lakh land pattas to indigenous people between December 2024–April 2025, demonstrating tangible development outcomes; (3) positive citizen testimonials highlighting reduced travel burden, timely service delivery, and increased transparency; (4) emergence of citizen advocates who actively promote e-governance services within their communities; and (5) ongoing digital governance expansion through specialized departmental websites.Despite these achievements, the study identifies persistent challenges including limited internet penetration in remote hilly areas, digital literacy gaps among tribal populations, language barriers with English-dominated interfaces, and the digital divide between autonomous councils as evidenced by comparative analysis with the Bodoland Territorial Region's advanced digitization.This research contributes the first systematic communication analysis of e-governance effectiveness specifically focused on Karbi Anglong's tribal development context, providing empirical evidence of both successes and structural barriers in autonomous council digital governance.The findings inform policy recommendations for strengthening e-governance in Sixth Schedule areas, emphasizing the need for multilingual platforms, targeted digital literacy programs, enhanced last-mile connectivity, and cross-council knowledge transfer. The study concludes that while e-governance demonstrates transformative potential for tribal development, realizing this potential requires addressing the unique socio-technical challenges of autonomous tribal regions. Keywords: E-governance; Tribal Development; Karbi Anglong; Autonomous Council; Communication Analysis; Digital Inclusion; Sixth Schedule; Sewa Setu