Rs 3,500m allocated for governance, IT in Punjab budget

LAHORE: Punjab government has allocated an amount of Rs 3500 million for governance and IT sector in 2017-18 budget for implementation of projects sponsored by Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), P&D Department, Excise and Taxation Department, Home Department and other government departments.

The government of Punjab aims to modernise governance techniques through information technology interventions, improving service delivery and increasing the digital literacy of the citizens.

Over the years, the government of Punjab has introduced strategic interventions keeping Punjab abreast of the global revolution in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

During 2016-17, an amount of Rs 13,950 million was allocated to the governance and IT sector and four major milestones achieved during the 2016-17, which are: Land Records Management and Information Systems Project (Phase-I) at a cost amounting Rs 12260.480 million, Digitisation of Public Prosecution Department (Phase-II) at a cost of Rs 70 million, the Citizen Feedback Monitoring Programme at a cost of Rs 98.718 million, and Establishment of Video Conferencing Facility of Punjab government.

New targets for 2017-18 budget include Implementation of Case Flow Management System in Lahore High Court through the ongoing project titled “ New IT Initiatives at LHC. The automation of case and courts management system at districts courts Lahore will help improve delivery of justice to general public. The Local Government Automated Financial Management and Monitoring System will increase transparency and visibility of the financial accounts of the Punjab government.

The New Invoice Monitoring System (IMS) for services sector will contribute by increasing the tax collection from restaurants, hotels and saloons, etc.Similarly, the Prison Management Information System will maintain a comprehensive data base of inmates and staff. This will help improve the management of district jails in Punjab.

Balance allocation has been secured for ongoing intervention of Board of Revenue (BoR) titled Property Registration Systems project to ensure improved property registration process and security of title to the landowners in Lahore.

New GIS Integrated Computerisation of Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) in districts of Punjab and the establishment of nine Excise and Taxation Service Centres will minimise interaction of citizens with government officials by redirecting to designated customer service representatives. This will increase Punjab government revenue and improve service delivery to tax payers.