Wanted: Operators for laptops in MCD

They have laptops. They have internet connections. And they’ll soon have their own page on the MCD website. But each of the 272 municipal councillors has demanded a personal computer operator to manage it all for them. Neelam Pandey reports.

They have laptops. They have internet connections. And they’ll soon have their own page on the MCD website. But each of the 272 municipal councillors has demanded a personal computer operator to manage it all for them.

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Though the councillors were given personal laptops in 2007, most of them are yet to learn how to use them. With each laptop costing Rs 47,000, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has paid a total of Rs 1.27 crore in its bid to increase the efficiency of its members. But if each councillor gets a computer operator, the MCD will have to fork out R13.60 lakh per month by way of salaries alone — or Rs 1.63 crore every year.

A proposal for personal computer operators has already been sent to the MCD commissioner. The councillors have also demanded personal printers.

Though the civic body is going ahead with its e-governance project under which all councillors will have their own page on the council’s website, the city’s representatives have expressed their inability to use the system without the help of operators.

“All of us are of the view that a personal operator is required as we are not tech-savvy and won’t be able to make use of the services effectively. I will be taking up the matter with the MCD commissioner,” said Yogender Chandolia, chairman of the MCD’s standing committee.

The issue of providing a personal computer operator was raised at a meeting of the standing committee on Wednesday.