Red tape snaps with a click at GHMC e-office

HYDERABAD: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has emerged as the first municipal corporation in the country to successfully ensure complete adoption of internal e-office gover nance.

Out of the 45 lakh government files circulated in the country on e-office, 9 lakh are GHMC’s, making it the only civic body to resolve major issues via e-office.

“I ensure that all the files that come to me are cleared before I go to sleep. I can also track the movement of files of civic officials using this app,” said GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy.

Emphasising on clearing files the same day, he said applicants have the habit of approaching civic officials along with recommendations a day or two after submitting the applications. “If the file is cleared the same day, no one can interfere or pressurise officials,” he explained. All wings of GHMC use e-office for file movement, communication and monitoring. Physical file transaction has been dispensed with and all file transactions are being carried out electronically. About 2,200 GHMC employees were also provided hands-on-training on e-office.

According to the civic chief, the e-office tool has also ensured accountability. “Some clerks behave like collectors as they are the first point of contact for the applicant. If they don’t forward the file, it will not be processed at all. But this internal system allows me to track all the files,” said Janardhan Reddy.

Citing an example, he said once a file passed six stages in one day, but the applicant complained that his file was pending for four months. “With the help of this tool, I found out that the clerk did not forward it to higher officials and appropriate action was taken against him,” said Reddy.