In an attempt to achieve transparency in governance, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu N launched the Electronic Office (e-office) today. Naidu CMO and chief clerk's office will no role in the first phase, all files get routed via computer to cut small delays in decision-making networks.
Under the draft e-office, all files will be scanned and an electronic trail to check their status. The conventional process of governance is based on file creation, notes on the record, the decision at different levels, and decisions finally broadcasters to Gos and circulars. Any request to the government passes through processing at different stages elaborate leaving little room for transparency. Since most of these processes are handled as files that move forward and backward to make decisions, automation of these files may play an important role in improving the efficiency of decision-making, said high officials.
"We decided to launch the new system initially in 12 departments. The Prime Minister's program will launch on December 20," J Satayanarayana, IT advisor to the government of AP, told TOI.
Besides the office of the COM and CS, all welfare departments including SC, ST, BC, women and children, as well as housing, IT, finance, law departments and agriculture will be modernized in post offices before December 20. A massive training program for 580 officials from these departments was created to allow for proper implementation of the project.
"After the system is in place in 12 departments, the address of the office will be extended to 29 other departments. We are acquiring advanced systems so that no technical problems arise," Satyanarayana said.
It is expected that the e-office to eliminate manual movement of files thus saving much time. When deciding graphics workflow, departments can plan a specific time period for settlement of each file category. Department heads can check instantly on a specific file will be lifted and even the time spent by each officer at various levels to delete the file.
Most importantly, the system will eliminate production of documents, which all government offices paperless. The threat of lost files will become a thing of the past, and have asked the departments to ensure backups of all files of each month and send a copy to the central office.
