No computers to implement electronic file system

Tirupati: Except few, all other government departments are finding it difficult to implement an electronic file management (e-file) system at mandal and divisional-level offices across the district. The State government has been putting great emphasis on e-file system to bring transparency in administrative functioning and improving productivity of employees, and also keep track of files.

Recently, District Collector PS Pradyumna has made it clear that he would reject files prepared manually and instructed staff of all the departments to forward files through e-file system only. According to sources, several departments in Chittoor, Tirupati and Madanapalle divisions lack basic infrastructure like computers, scanners, printers, internet connection, UPS and office tables to implement e-file system. An official from the Revenue department said Rs 50,000 is needed to purchase basic hardware.

“Who will sanction funds to procure computers and other hardware equipment,” he asked and said that higher officials are exerting pressure on department heads to purchase computers and other equipment with their own money and later submit bills for reimbursement.

He said department heads are not willing to spend money from their own pocket as the Treasury department is not clearing the bills of day-to-day expenditure and even TA bills also. Majority government staff are not tech savvy and training needed to use e-file system, he stated. There is no IT department at district-level to look after installation of computers and networking them. Moreover, computers are required for every employee in an office to work in e-filing system.

Except, Revenue and Treasury departments, no other departments have full-fledged computers. Even, municipalities are not having enough computers. With the State government reeling under financial crisis, government staff say it is difficult to implement e-file system.

By K Nethaji