Punjab to become first state to launch e-Sarkar

The process would facilitate paperless governance, covering all the 47 departments and 143 branches

Consolidating its plans to ensure absolute e-governance, Punjab would soon become the first state in the country that has the status of e-Sarkar covering all the 47 departments and its 143 branches with Integrated Workflow and Document Management System (IWDMS) to process common tasks online.

Besides, 22 treasuries and 74 sub-treasuries across the state have been connected with the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) to distribute and sanction budget online.

Describing it a unique initiative to streamline and bring efficiency and transparency in public functioning, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal added that a three-tier governing mechanism has been institutionalised by Punjab Infotech for effective implementation and review of this project. He said that e-Sarkar would also provide for an online repository of various circulars, acts, gazette notifications and reports.

He said e-Sarkar has automated various common tasks in secretariat functioning such as right to information (RTI), legislative Assembly questions, court cases, appointment scheduler, Visitor Pass Management System (VPMS) and various employee services including leave, salary and GPF. The application helps in management of court cases related to the departments by monitoring and tracking of the cases through its various stages and reminding the next date of hearing.

A dedicated e-payment gateway for inward remittances to state treasury for various types of taxes and fees has also developed.

In a statement issued here, Badal - who is also holding the governance reforms portfolio - said this government-to-government service delivery system would make sure the availability of administrative services through e-Sarkar and the automation of file processing.