Two states start bill payments

Just three days after the formal division of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and residual Andhra Pradesh- have started releasing bills towards works and contracts thanks to the computer automation that exists in government transactions.

The works and projects wing of the finance department of the undivided AP used to release bills on fifth of every month. The officials heading the works and projects wings post bifurcation did not want to miss the date.

"Though we just released Rs 61 crore on June 5, the fact that we were able to restore normal functioning in the two states just  three days after the appointed date was a satisfying moment," Premchandra Reddy, principal secretary responsible for the budget, works and projects in the finance department of residual Andhra Pradesh told Business Standard.

AP was among the early adopters of computerisation and this has come in handy for the authorities to complete the bifurcation process in just three months. According to Reddy, the finance department has been using online platforms for government transactions and this would change into complete automation once the ongoing efforts on integrated financial management was through.