Cantt. Board takes e-way to transparency

By V.Geetanath

HYDERABAD, AUG. 28. In order to provide better citizen- administration interface, the Secunderabad Cantonment has embarked on a computerisation drive connecting all the ward offices with the head office with a local area network.

The network would also be equipped with a Geographical Information System (GIS) where it would be possible to pin point the infrastructure in civilian areas, including roads, parks, streetlights, buildings and so on. ``The idea is to provide complete transparency in the administration,'' said the SCB Executive Officer, Mr. Ajay Kumar.

The computerisation exercise is budgeted at Rs. 30 lakhs and according to Mr. Ajay Kumar the Board is keen on recruiting well qualified personnel to man the network so that the problems of the citizens living in the area could be taken care of by a responsive administration.

The Executive Officer was confident of completing the work in the next three months. The SCB has also taken the initiative to privatise road sweeping and sanitation works. From last week onwards, civilian area was divided into four zones and the road sweeping work and lifting of garbage has been entrusted to private contractors.

The sweeping and garbage lifting works are to be taken up on every alternate day and till the respective colony welfare associations certify that the work done was to their satisfaction, the bills for the contractors would not be cleared, Mr. Ajay Kumar insisted. The Board had also spent Rs. 45 lakhs towards the purchase of five trucks for lifting garbage and 50 metallic dumpers were installed near the garbage bins.

Fifty more dumpers would be introduced every year for the next three years to cover the entire region. For raking in more revenue, the Board has also taken a decision to increase the toll tax and once the returns are substantial the contentious Octroi would be abolished. The final decision is to be taken by the Director-General of Defence Estates.

The Executive Officer said that the Environment Protection and Training Institute (EPTRI) would start its feasibility project for the underground drainage system in the Cantonment area in the next few days. The sewerage system could be planned in conjunction with the surrounding nine municipalities abutting the capital city. The project expected to cost Rs. 15-20 crores is to be completed in two months.

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Section  : Southern States
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