THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Restructuring of performance audit and toning up of local audit have been mooted to instil a sense of professionalism and efficiency in the administration of local self-government institutions. The draft guidelines for the Eleventh Plan had suggested performance monitoring through internal and external assessments, including citizen score cards, social audit by experts and utilisation of students for concurrent evaluation.

In a bid to increase people's participation and improve Plan monitoring, the system for technical approval and execution of public works will be revamped. The guidelines had suggested IT application in all public services, especially disbursement of social security pensions and schemes, and creation of an integrated database of beneficiaries at the panchayat level. A comprehensive ward-wise list of beneficiaries of the Ninth and Tenth Plan projects will be drawn up. The Information Kerala Mission (IKM) will provide a report based on the available data. Enhancement of professional skills, office management system, especially file tracking and grievance redressal, had been recommended. Updating of accounts and a new accounting system are also on the anvil.

Functioning of standing committees will be improved and they will be entrusted with the management of institutions which were transferred to the local bodies following decentralisation of powers. Birth, death and marriage registration will be universalised. Comprehensive property tax reforms, creation of an integrated database of tax payers and a permanent numbering system for buildings and plots had been suggested as part of the efforts to improve resource mobilisation. The mechanism for procuring goods in local bodies will be made more transparent.

Complaints were aplenty that grama sabhas had almost become extinct or turned ritualistic. Grama sabhas will be made more meaningful by introducing provisions for compulsory disclosure of decisions. The sabhas will be summoned only after prior information about the meeting.

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