This could all change for Mumbaikars by March 2007, when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) rolls out e-governance. Citizens can look forward to sitting in front of a computer terminal at home and getting their work done. If all goes according to plan, they will apply on the BMC's website for certificates, licenses or permits and have the documents couriered to them within a specified response time.
The BMC has already started work on a database-driven Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) package, which goes beyond a simple computer interface for services. "Whatever is being done manually now across departments will be computerised and integrated into the ERP module, giving citizens a 24x7, single point for services and information. A SAP and Siemens consortium is developing the system. It is expected to be complete in six months," says additional municipal commissioner (western suburbs) Shrikant Singh, who is in charge of IT and the e-governance project manager. Parallelly, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is involved in integrating information in all the BMC wards and converting it to computer language.
"In states like Karnataka, e-governance has mostly meant front-end solutions. We are trying to take it beyond that with complete back office computerisation," says Srivastava.
TCS has been entrusted with managing the paradigm shift to e-governance, which will be mandatory for all departments after a cut-off date. "We will create an information system that plugs leaks, checks corruption, and cuts across hierarchy, so that any user of the system can benefit at large through proper utilisation of public money," says TCS project manager Girish Dandige.
E-governance will cut red tape and increase efficiency within the BMC. "Now, we call heads of departments for lengthy meetings to get information. In the new system, every project will have a unique code, and the information will be readily available to all," explains Srivastava.
"All receivables will be acknowledged through the ERP module, and expenditure and receipt routed through it on a real-time basis. It will immediately reflect on the website. Accounts is the hub of every project, we'll keep fitting things into it," Srivastava adds. Management consultants AF Ferguson and Co. will facilitate the accounting and budgetary reforms that are being brought in simultaneously with e-governance, and help convert cash-based accounts into double entry accrual-based accounts.
But will the BMC staff turn tech-savvy enough by March 2007 to conform to the change? "About 2,000 BMC employees are being trained at various levels. Some are being given intensive module training by Tata Consultancy Services,"says Singh. TCS also plans to pick 'business champions' from within the organisation and make them part of the core team spearheading the change.
Autor/Author: Srabana Lahiri
Quelle/Source: Daily News & Analysis, 03.06.2006
