The year 2001 will be celebrated as the year of Information Technology in the country as declared by the union Information Technology (IT) ministry. On its part, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a computerisation drive in Mumbai. The computerisation drive is aimed at making the municipal administration efficient and accountable to the citizens of Mumbai. BMC's computerisation plans are expected to give a fillip to the working of the administration and minimise the difficulties faced by Mumbai citizens. This exercise is a part of BMC's long drawn plans to give BMC a corporate image and work along professional lines like the major corporate houses of Mumbai.

BMC's new policy is to minimise costs and increase the work output of the corporation in every department. The computerisation drive is one of the major steps introduced by the BMC to facilitate its functioning.

"The trial rounds are currently being carried out in all the BMC wards and R/North ward is to be fully computerised by March 2001. Subsequently, the remaining wards will be linked to each other. Computerisation in every consumer-related department of the BMC, which includes departments like storm water drains, markets and encroachment division, fire brigade and birth and death registration, has been enlisted on the high priority list of projects. The BMC, in collaboration with Aptech, has already launched a computer training programme for its staff and their children at concessional rates. CMC has been appointed to monitor the effectiveness of the computer drive,'' said Mumbai's mayor Hareshwar Patil.

Common cash counters are to be set up in the municipal offices for the collection of tarrifs. Close on the heels of the facility of paying electricity tarrifs of the Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the BMC is all set to launch the payment of property taxes on the internet at
www. billjunction.com

By :Mani D'Mello

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