Prem Narayan,
Director, Foreign Procurement, Ministry of Railways,
Government of India
Introduction of PMIS has brought transparency and speed in the urban infrastructure project management and monitoring, writes Prem Narayan, Director, Foreign Procurement, Ministry of Railways, Government of India
The government is striving to provide its services to the common man in an efficient, transparent and reliable manner. eGovernance is one of its major tools deployed for this task. Through optimal use of Information Technology and digital data, the delivery and monitoring of services is constantly being improved in an open and transparent manner. In fact, eGovernance has a huge potential for reducing the information asymmetry which exists between the government officials and the common man.
Implementation of Project Management Information System (PMIS) for the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission or JnNURM by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has resulted in providing online and up-to-date information to the States and the Ministry for management and monitoring of projects approved under both the components, viz. Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT). The MoUD is also ensuring implementation of e-Governance across the country through its mandatory eGovernance reforms to be achieved for claiming funds for urban infrastructure projects under the JnNURM.
Under e-Governance reforms, urban local bodies are ensuring online birth and death registration, property tax, accounting, water supply and utilities, citizens’ grievance redressal, personnel management system, building plan approval as well as procurement and monitoring of projects. This has led to transparency, better information management, improved service delivery and overall improvement in urban governance across departments at all levels.
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission
The JnNURM was launched by the Government of India on 3rd December, 2005, envisaging an investment of more than US$ 18 bn during a period of seven years from 2005-06 to 2011-12 with a committed Central Government share of US$ 12 bn. JnNURM is a reform driven, fast track programme to ensure planned development of identified cities with focus on efficiency in urban infrastructure/service delivery mechanisms, and through community participation and enhanced accountability of ULBs/parastatal agencies towards citizens. The programme has resulted in facilitating large-scale investments in the urban sector and ushered policy and institutional reforms, leading to sustainable socioeconomic growth in the cities.
The programme focuses, higher level of resources and management attention to 65 select cities across the country. 35 cities with million-plus population, other state capitals and cities of heritage and tourism importance comprise the 65 mission cities under the Urban Infrastructure & Governance (UIG). The other towns of 32 states/UTs are eligible for funding under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).
There are 619 projects at a total cost of ` 66,671 crore sanctioned under the UIG for 65 Mission cities and 1,135 projects sanctioned under UIDSSMT at a total cost of ` 26,612 crore for more than 850 small & medium towns across the country during phase-I and transition phase of JnNURM. A total of 227 projects under UIG and 452 projects under UIDSSMT have been completed and resulted in improved service delivery to citizens.
Project Management Information System (PMIS)
The PMIS website ensures step by step process flow right from detailed project report (DPR) submission, State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) appraisal, project approval by SLSC and approval by the Ministry. SLNAs are submitting utilisation certificates as well as Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) online for Ministry to take appropriate action for release of subsequent instalment to the states. SLNA are uploading the completion certificate on the PMIS website once the project is completed.
In the process of PMIS development, the responsibility of state/ ULB includes registration of ULB, submission of Detailed Projects Report (DPRs), appraisal of DPRs, submission of Utilisation Certificate and QPRs and completion certificates.
The Ministry of Urban Development is responsible for further appraisal of SLSC approved DPR through its technical wings, disbursement of Additional Central Assistance (ACA) and incentives. On release of instalment, MoUD updates the states on PMIS along with scanned copy of the release order issued by Ministry of Finance (MoF), Department of Expenditure so that SLNA may utilise the funds for implementation of projects.
Special features in PMIS
PMIS allows the users i.e. officials from MoUD, TCPO, officials of SLNA to easily access and use the website. Online user guide is available on the home page of the website so that the users may understand the process flow and smooth navigation of the website. The homepage has the facility for user to register online by creating his user id and password for further access to the PMIS website. The facilities of forgotten password, transaction history as well as helpdesk are also available on the home page for user-friendly application of the website.
A special feature has been created on the home page so that the summary of number of projects sanctioned under the sector, number of projects completed, approved cost, ACA committed and ACA released is displayed in a box once the mouse is brought on that particular sector. The overall summary of UIDSSMT is automatically displayed once the mouse is brought on the circle in the centre.
Project ID Nomenclature
For the ease of understanding, the facility of online generation of alpha-numeric project ID has been created and project ID is generated once the project is approved online by the ministry. Project ID contains first two digits for the state code, next two digits for the district code, next two digits represent ULB code of the district, next is the urban sector code and the next three digits represent running serial number under the particular urban sector. For example, project ID UP/10/01/SWM/018 is for a project in the State of UP under sold waste management sector.
Uploading of Documents on PMIS
On utilization of 70 percent funds and completion of urban sector reforms, the utilisation certificate submitted online by the SLNA is processed for release of subsequent instalments and the sanction letter is sent to Ministry of Finance. On release of the instalment by MoF, the release order is uploaded on the PMIS website for information of the SLNA, which can then withdraw funds from the state exchequer for further implementation of the project.
Management Information System
The MIS link provided on the PMIS website has further links – (i) Project at a glance (ii) Details of ACA released and (iii) Registered States and Users. On navigation of project at a glance link, information can be retrieved on state-wise and sector-wise status of projects showing number of projects, number of projects completed, approved cost, total ACA and ACA released as well as project status – completed / in progress. On further drilling down on this page, summary sheet of individual project and ULB is retrieved. The facility of retrieving release order of Ministry of Finance and completion certificate on clicking on the links instalment date and completion respectively exits. Under the link – Details of ACA Released, financial information for a particular state, particular sector for particular financial year is available. Multipleoptions for choosing financial year(s), State, Sector, Project Status, etc., can be exercised to have desired information required for dealing with matters relating to Parliament Questions, VIP references, etc.
Online generation of UC and QPR
QPRs are generated online by the SLNA that shows the extent of funds utilised, stage-wise project implementation including percentage of progress by end of every quarter. The QPR also provides information on progress of all 23 reforms at ULB level, State-level as well as optional-level reforms. The reform achievement determines further release of instalment to the state by the Centre.
PMIS has brought transparency and speed in the urban infrastructure project management and monitoring at the state and Central level. The availability of the documents on funds releases by MoF and completion certificate by the states could be ensured to the fullest extent. Information could be extracted from the MIS for smooth handling of Parliament Questions/ VIP references etc. Data analysis on funds releases, project completion and for the purpose of future line of action relating to approval of new projects, optimum utlization of funds, etc., is possible with the help of PMIS. Comparison of States based on completion of projects as well as utilization of funds can also be done with the help of PMIS. This IT enabled tool is thus facilitating smoother and more efficient implementation and monitoring of the JnNURM.
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