To monitor government work, especially construction projects, the state government is planning to introduce a “digital platform” – centered around a mobile application – in which every employee/officer will be required to provide updates on the progress of work at regular intervals. It will include “timely” updates as well as “on the spot” images of related work as the system will focus only on construction/infrastructure projects, officials said on Friday.
On Friday, the TMC government published a notification in this regard which said, “To ensure continuous monitoring of public infrastructure built by the state government in various sectors as well as timely maintenance and upgradation, a digital platform is being developed.”
It said, “This online system with the following features will serve as a tool for rule-based inspection/evaluation resulting in higher quality of service delivery: Mobile app-based inspection of public service delivery establishments: Online monitoring and supervision at all categories. Government level, OTP-based authentication , built on responsive design, automated geo-tagging of inspected establishments, workflow-based processing and ATNs, role-based dashboards provide an opportunity 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 objectively capture and analyze the input and feedback of field inspection in the manner attached to it. SOP to all departments Diligence is requested to follow.”
A senior Finance Department official said on Friday, “The platform is aimed at frequent monitoring of public infrastructure as well as timely maintenance and upgradation. This online system will serve as a tool for rule based inspection/evaluation resulting in higher quality of service delivery. A number of observers have been deputed by the government for regular inspection of schools, ICDS centres, hospitals and other public infrastructure, which will serve as the primary source of information.
According to the sources, the government officials will have to give a ‘periodic progress picture’ of the project once the system is implemented. Concerned government employees cannot provide these updates without being present at the spot themselves, as the photo has to be taken and the app indicates the GPS location of the photo, sources said.
A senior official said, “After the introduction of the application, all employees – from district magistrates to lower-level government employees – will have to report their progress through it. So we expect this app to reduce leakage of public money and corruption and introduce transparency. However, the weakness of this app is This is applicable only for construction works like bridges, roads, buildings where progress can be shown. For other projects, this application will not be applicable.”
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