Maharashtra to rope in global IT firm for evidence based monitoring on spending

Govt to put in place evidence-based mechanism

The Maharashtra government proposes to rope in an information technology or global consulting firm to put in place evidence-based photography mechanism to monitor funds spent by various state departments. Tata Consultancy Services, McKinsey and Deloitte, which have been registered with the state information technology department, are being considered for the proposed venture.

Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who presented a Rs 3,757 crore revenue-deficit budget on Wednesday, told Business Standard: “The objective of evidence-based photography and the monitoring mechanism is to bring in transparency, curb corruption and time and cost escalation and thereby achieve quality work and avoid wasteful expenditure. One of the IT or consulting firms will be appointed in the next five months."

Mungantiwar made a strong case for such a mechanism saying the nexus between the project contractor and department officials at the local level adversely impact development, which ultimately results in time and cost overruns.

“As on date, there is no mechanism whereby the finance department can track the project development from the Mantralaya (secretariat). The government has increased the annual Plan size to Rs 54,999 crore for 2015-16 from Rs 51,022.54 crore in 2014-15. I will make all efforts to see that each and every pie will be spent properly," he noted.

Further, Mungantiwar admitted the state government has inherited economy with high public debt of Rs 3 lakh crore and limited funds available for capital expenditure.

“The government will pay attention to increase the tax collection, minimise administrative expenditure especially by improving efficiency, monitor performance of the government employees. Further, the government will make all efforts to avoid imposing cut on capital investments especially in the sectors like irrigation,” said the minister.

He reminded that the state government had to impose a 25 per cent cut in Plan expenditure due to the paucity of funds and also in the wake of increase in the revenue deficit to Rs 13,888 crore in 2014-15 (revised estimates).

According to Mungantiwar, the economy of the state would grow at 5.7 per cent in 2014-15 as projected in the economic survey.

“However, the higher growth trajectory will be possible as the government hopes to expedite growth in agriculture, small and medium, irrigation, and rural development sectors. An allocation of Rs 2,400 crore has been made to spur rural development, while Rs 970 crore has been allocated on energisation of agricultural pump sets. The government is confident to achieve inclusive growth by removing disparities,” he added.