NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Tuesday signed two agreements with a non-profit organisation set up by Infosys, e-Government Foundation-Bangalore, for computerisation of its financial accounts.

Following the signing of the agreement by NDMC Secretary Keshav Chandra and Srikant Nadhamuni of e-Government Foundation, NDMC Chairperson Sindhusree Khullar said the objective of the project was to implement e-Government Financial, a double entry fund-based financial accounting system, in the Council and provide an efficient and transparent service to the public.

Under the agreements, a new software will be provided to NDMC to facilitate better decision-making within the Council. Under one agreement, the software will be provided on open source application and free of cost while under the other NDMC will meet the Rs. 38-lakh additional expenses being made by e-Government Foundation for implementation of the package.

While initially the contract will be for one year with mutual terms and conditions of providing a framework for implementing other municipal service software, the NDMC Chairperson said that later, depending upon the experience and success of the implementation, other relevant application would be adopted by the Council.

Further, e-Government Foundation will also install an integrated financial system software with the existing software modules being used in NDMC at present. It will also train the NDMC staff at various levels for smooth implementation of the software.

The transitioning modern, double entry accounting system is a key reform area in municipal governance mandated by the 12th Finance Commission and the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission which is aimed at improving internal financial controls to promote greater transparency and accountability.

This system has been developed by the Foundation exclusively for municipalities and is based on National Municipal Accounts Manual launched by the Union Ministry of Urban Development in association with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in February 2005.

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