BDA goes e-way

BDA goes e-way
There are plans to computerise records and develop kiosks for better service, says R Jayaprakash
Times of India

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in its attempt to bring in total transparency is all set to go the e-way in a phased manner. Says BDA Commissioner M N Vidyashankar, "easy access to all information is the first step that takes care of all problems. The BDA is planning to revamp the organisation in a big way in three categories including computerisation of complete allotment and documentation department, setting up e-kiosks with facility for payments, and web-enabled services in the first phase. Providing well-integrated IVR systems and online complaint management system (OCMS) is also planned".

Computerisation

The BDA will take up full computerisation shortly and finish all the data entry by December 31. Henceforth, there will be no ledger entries. All the case workers will be operating on electronic files. A total of 50 computers will be set up and all the existing files will be converted into read-only files to make it fool-proof.
First, the allotment section will be computerised, which involves documenting allotment details such as address, area dimension of site allotted , marginal land details, issue of absolute sale deed, allottees, lessees, and other such documents. The original documents will be scanned and fed to the computer. Later, all the papers and files will make way for computers involving management information systems.

E-kiosks

As a pilot project, the BDA in its premises will set up an e- kiosk by November 15. The Internet-enabled touch-screen kiosk is multi-function based and one-of-its-kind. While it can take property tax, betterment charges and any other fee, the information menu ranges from maps of the different localities of the city based on Geographical Information System (GIS) to events, project details, allotments, and sanctions. It will also be linked to online complaint management system (OCMS). The pilot project will be followed by another 25 such kiosks in the first phase and later another 75 will follow, according to Bangalore Develop sources.

Web services

bdabangalore.org is the new official website of the BDA. The website is one-ofits-kind with interactive technical operation linked up with the vendor site providing e-tendering services. It is involved in e-tendering of 22 packages of works for the proposed Arkavati Layout for which the financial bid was opened recently to bring in total transparency. The BDA portal will have interactive voice response system (IVRS) and online complaint management system (OCMS), both fully integrated to address public issues and complaints.