Mayor accuses MC of going solo

City Mayor Kamlesh has accused the Municipal Corporation of not involving the elected body in the process of implementing the e-governance project.

The move to invite expression of interest for implementing some parts of the project has also not found favour with the Mayor.

Kamlesh said, “The terms and conditions of the project have apparently been tailor-made to suit particular bidders. Companies applying for the project should have at least five-year experience in implementing e-governance projects in other corporations across India. As not many corporations have adopted e-governance in toto, the number of such companies is bound to be few.”

She said MC officials had embarked upon the project without putting up the proposal before the General House, even though it was mandatory to discuss new proposals during the General House meeting. The MC functionaries are keeping the elected body in the dark about the details of the project, she said.

Recently, a meeting was held to discuss the implementation of the project but neither the Mayor nor councillors were involved in the process.

A senior MC officer said the project had been planned in compliance with the Government of India guidelines on e-governance. As of now, the project was in the initial stages, he added. They were only carrying out the feasibility study and had invited expression of interest for the purpose.

Eight firms have come forward, he said, adding that after finalising details, the project would be placed before the General House for the final decision. He said the MC wanted to give the House a complete and clear picture and that was why the proposal had been put forth before discussion.

First Published: Feb 20, 2009 16:48 IST