To monitor government work, particularly construction projects, the state government is planning to introduce a “digital platform” – centred around a mobile application – that will require every employee/official concerned to provide updates about the progress of work at regular intervals. This will involve “on time” updates as well as “on spot” images of the work concerned as this system would focus solely on construction/infrastructure projects, officials said on Friday.
On Friday, the TMC government published a notice in this regard that says, “In order to ensure continuous monitoring of the public infrastructure created by the state government in various sectors as well as to take timely and maintenance and up gradation, a digital platform is being developed.”
It said, “This online system having the following features, will act as a tool for rule-based inspection/assessment resulting in higher quality of service delivery: Mobile app-based inspection of public service delivery establishments: online monitoring & supervision at all hierarchical levels of government, OTP-based authentication, built on responsive design, Automatic geo-tagging of inspected establishments, workflow-based processing & ATNs, role-based dashboard, provides scope to improve public service delivery.”
It also said, “Consequently, the government is pleased to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this mobile app and online-based application to purposefully capture and analyse the inputs and feedback of field inspections in the manner as annexed herewith. All departments are requested to follow the SOP diligently.”
A senior finance department official said on Friday, “The platform is aimed at frequent monitoring of public infrastructure as well as to take up timely maintenance and upgrades of this. This online system will act as a tool for rule-based inspection/assessment resulting in higher quality of service delivery. Several supervisors have been deployed by the government for regular inspection of schools, ICDS centres, hospitals and other public infrastructure, who shall serve as the primary source of information.”
According to sources, once the system is in place, government officials will have to give a “periodical progress picture” of projects. They can’t provide these updates without being present at the spot themselves as the government employee concerned would be required to take pictures and the app would indicate the GPS location of the picture, the sources said.
A senior official said, “After introduction of the application, all staff – right from District Magistrates to grassroots level government employees – will have to give progress reports through it. So, we are expecting because of this app, leakage of public money and corruption will be decreased and transparency can be enforced. However, a shortcoming of this app is that it is only applicable for construction works – such as bridges, roads, buildings – where one can show the progress. For other projects, this application will not be applicable.”
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