Punjab ULBs go paperless with digital initiative

CHANDIGARH, Punjab: The Punjab state government has launched a digital initiative aimed at transitioning more than 130 urban local bodies to a paperless system.

“The Mohali municipal corporation served as a pilot project, which was later rolled out to Pathankot and Patiala. This effort involves electronically transferring all files from the urban local bodies to the directorate located in the municipal offices. The primary goals of this initiative are to promote transparency and enhance accountability,” explained Uma Shankar Gupta, the Director of the local government department in Punjab.

There are a total of 138 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Punjab, including 10 Municipal Corporations and 98 municipal councils spread across 23 districts.

The Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC), a body of the state government’s local government department, is overseeing the implementation of e-Nigam, also known as the Digital MC General House portal.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is conducting training sessions for officials of the civic bodies, and 13 nodal officers at various municipalities have already received training. Chief engineer Naresh Batta has been appointed as the nodal officer at the state level to facilitate effective implementation.

Jaspreet Singh, the municipal commissioner of Bathinda, mentioned that the digital mode of operation would be similar to the functioning of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. However, it is still unclear whether the councillors will be trained in the new technological initiative of the administration, as per the commissioner.

“The current process involves sending files to the headquarters for approval via WhatsApp. However, with the implementation of the e-Nigam portal, files related to projects, tender processes, etc., will be approved online. This will save time, and the use of human resources will promote transparency,” he further explained.