Several grama panchayats in the State are vying with one another to acquire certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation. About 20 grama panchayats across the State have already received ISO certification.
The Local Self-Government (LSG) Department is extending support for bringing 100 panchayats under the ISO class, a senior official of the department told The Hindu . The government is focussing on reforms targeting ‘less-paper office,’ which will gradually get transformed into ‘paperless office,’ the official said.
Computerisation and maintenance of records for quick reference are part of the ISO acquisition journey. The people are the largest beneficiaries as online services would be available at the shortest possible time. The government is understood to have decided to distribute an incentive of about Rs.1 lakh each to ISO-graded panchayats next month.
Chottanikkara grama panchayat in Ernakulam is one of the local bodies which have got the certification recently. The award came after systematic work in arranging records so as to provide services expeditiously, Johnson Thomas, president of the panchayat, said.
“We take 10 minutes to provide services under the Right to Information Act, which used to take three days earlier,” says Ratnabhai, panchayat secretary.
There has been 100 per cent revenue collection and fund utilisation during the run-up to the certification procedure,” reminisces J. Ramani, vice-president. “We can track down a record within three minutes,” she adds.
Chunakkara grama panchayat in Alappuzha is one of the new entities vying for the certification. Capacity building of the employees is part of the training for acquiring ISO grade, says B. Binu, panchayat president. The panchayat has already sought the services of an agency to prepare an enabling environment and to apply for the certification, according to panchayat secretary Sreekumar.
With the trend catching on, LSG department officials are hopeful of meeting the target. As the efficiency of ISO panchayats is on an upward graph, the department is keen on extending Wi-Fi facility to panchayats in the near future with a view to equipping them with essentials for a successful e-governance regime.
LSG dept. support for 100 panchayats
Plan for Wi-Fi facility at panchayats
