VISAKHAPATNAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

1. SAUKARYAM VISAKHAPATNAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION e-nabling the Municipal Corporation to reach out to you. Providing various Civic services through Information Technology.

2. Listed amongst the world’s most useful sites. SAUKARYAM (Meaning facility) An IT-driven initiative reaching out to the citizens of Visakhapatnam. One of the first of its kind in the country.

3. VISAKHAPATNAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION The project “Saukaryam” has the potential to provide great convenience to citizens, timely redressal of their grievances and cutting down of red tape delays. Shri. N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

4. Paying tax was taxing for the citizen. Eg: Paying of property tax involved several visits to bill collectors, banks and the Corporation. Made reconciliation of amounts difficult for the Corporation. Eg: Demand Collection Balance took about a month and was inaccurate. Huge amount of paper work. Inaccurate and incorrect information. Inadequate monitoring. THE EARLIER SYSTEM

5. Information is the government’s biggest equity and should be used for the greater public good. More “e” and less government. Organic growth requiring lower start-up costs. Updating records in real time. Public / private partnership. Citizen focused. Systems re-engineering. OUR IDEA OF E-GOVERNANCE

6. Computerisation of past records. Development of Software Organically Setting up of LAN & WAN networks. Skill training for in-house staff. Selection of private partners. Public – private partnerships. INITIATIVES & METHODOLOGY (How we did it)

7. Initial resistance from staff and skepticism from citizens. Gradual acceptance. Enthusiastic participation by all. EXPERIENCES

8. MODULES & SERVICES NET WORK WEBSITE IN-HOUSE SYSTEMS BANK COLLECTION CENTRES E-SEVA SAUKARYAM (CIVIC CENTRES) PAYROLL BIRTH/DEATH REGISTRATION BIRTH/DEATH REGISTRATION TAX COLLECTION HUMAN RESOURCE TAX COLLECTION TAX COLLECTION PAYMENT GATEWAY ACCOUNTS COMPLAINT REDRESSAL COMPLAINT REDRESSAL BUILDING PLANS APPROVAL, TRADE LICENCES BUILDING PLANS APPROVAL, TRADE LICENCES ONLINE CIVIC FORUM WATER CONNECTIONS ONLINE SANITATION

9. Management Information System for civil works put into place. Module linked to website for citizens to know the status. Contractors get online tender notices. Budget monitoring & adherence becomes possible. E-Procurement INFRASTRUCTURE WORK ONLINE

10. NETWORK @ VMC • LAN: 3 sq. Kms. • MAN: 80 sq. Kms.

11. Collection of payments through Credit cards. Home delivery of tax receipts. Registration of births/deaths online. Home delivery of birth / death certificates SOME CITIZEN-FRIENDLY, PIONEERING FEATURES

12. Life of citizens made much easier. Redressing of complaints reduced from months to hours. Website receives over 1 lakh hits per month. Over 3000 citizens approach civic centres for various services every day. Revenue collection up by 30%. A user-friendly touch screen for computer illiterates. HOW HAVE WE FARED? – A PROGRESS REPORT

13. Tasks simplified by breaking into small doable tasks. Multiple stake holders. Education & sensitization of citizens. Being sensitive to the needs and concerns of citizens. Encouragement from an IT-friendly State Government. REASONS FOR OUR SUCCESS

14. AWARDS & RECOGNITION While effective governance is our duty, it enthuses us when we are acknowledged. Some of the awards we have received: Stockholm Challenge Award (Finalist) CRISIL UNDP TUGI CSI – TCS National Institute of Urban Affairs

15. GIS data based on aerial survey and satellite imagery to aid decision-making. Mapping of databases to GIS images for property tax etc. Remote monitoring of water supply, lighting, vehicle fleet. Call Centres. Paper less office. To apply for ISO 9002. THE ROAD AHEAD

16. Thank you for your attention