MillenniumPost
Bengal

Urban devp dept brings out software for better financial management

Kolkata: The state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department has introduced a web-based software for better financial management and timely utilisation of government funds by various municipalities and urban local bodies.

The new system has contributed towards the timely completion of various state government schemes. It has also helped in the project evaluation and management by the municipalities and other local bodies.

It has now become more convenient for various government agencies to ease official complications and also in ensuring timely disbursement of funds. Apart from the web-based software, many other steps were taken up during the last financial year to properly channelise the government funds in development projects.

A host of new steps has helped the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department in utilising 96 percent of the budget allocation in the last financial year.

To facilitate industrialists or entrepreneurs to set up new units and to provide them hassle-free e-services in various government departments, stress has been laid on "Ease of doing business" (EoDB).

After coming to power, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has emphasised on easing out the complications which entrepreneurs often face. Following the Chief Minister's instruction, various government departments implemented EoDB and all the clearances are now given through online portals.

It can be mentioned here that the Bengal government has secured first position in the EoDB ranking done by the Centre.

Different reform points of the governmental procedure of sanctioning of funds, licensing and permissions have been identified and Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) has been prepared to implement those points and to achieve the targets of EoDB under BRAP.

The department is also formulating a comprehensive policy to set up clusters which will eventually ensure proper management, optimum utilisation of landfill, reclamation of the existing landfill and recycling of the waste. Waste management has become an important issue in a state like Bengal, which is facing rapid urbanisation. The state's urban population rose from 27.8 percent in 2001 to 31 percent in 2011. It is estimated that the majority of its population would reside in the cities in a few decades.

The state government has also published its township policy, laying emphasis on providing affordable housing for the poor and creating jobs through various economic policies.

Steps have been taken to plan cities which would be sustainable, resilient and environment-friendly, energy-saving, IT-friendly and safe. The state government has come up with the Green City mission in all the municipalities and municipal corporations, to achieve its goal.

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