Governance, IT sector get over Rs13b

LAHORE

The Punjab government allocated Rs 13.95 billion for Governance & IT Sector for implementation of projects sponsored by Punjab Information Technology Board and other government departments in 2016-17 budget. 

Worldwide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is proving instrumental in modernising governance, increasing transparency and reducing information costs along the value chain for businesses. The Punjab government aims to leverage upon the revolution in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to modernise governance and keep Punjab abreast with global proficiencies in service delivery.

It continues to play a pivotal role in introducing strategic interventions that increase the digital literacy of citizens; nurture venture capitalists and mature businesses; implement smart monitoring that increase transparency; and reduce the turnaround time (TAT) in public service delivery.

The vision for the fiscal year of 2016-17 is to make Punjab the hub of Information and Technology (IT) by using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for increasing efficiency in public services delivery, enhancing the digital literacy of the citizens and modernising governance thereby spurring economic growth. 

During 2015-16, an amount of Rs 8.54 billion was allocated to the Governance and IT Sector. Major achieved projects during 2015-16 are completion of Land Records Management and Information Systems Project (Phase–I), completion of Technology Incubator at Arfa Software Technology Park Programme, completion of Driving Licence Management Information System (Phase II) and completion of Computerization of Transport Department (TDAS) Phase II.

Targets and major initiatives fixed for 2016-17 are the flagship project of the Police Department/Safe City Authority namely ‘Punjab Police Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre’ in six mega cities in order to ensure fool proof security, improve the law and order situation and make marked improvements in the traffic management system of mega cities in the province; the ‘Automation of Case and Courts Management System at LHC & District Courts Lahore’ to help improve service delivery of justice to general public; the ‘Local Government Automated Financial Management and Monitoring System’ in order to increase transparency and visibility of the financial accounts of the Punjab Government; the ‘GIS Integrated Computerization of Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) and the ‘Ease for Tax Payers Programme’ to enhance government revenue and tax payer facilitation.