Kerala evolving new vistas in e-governance

By B. Prathapan (THe hindu may 26 2000)

KOCHI, MAY 25. E-governance could well be the next area in which a `Kerala model' evolves, if the success of a pilot project in Ernakulam district panchayat in developing a Panchayat Level Information Network is any indication.

This Kerala model will have implications on the future of e- governance of the global South because of its path-breaking induction of ``open source code'' software as against the proprietary models and grassroots participation of the people.

``Open source code'' software is a programme whose source code is available free-of-cost for developers to work on better versions or to develop new applications.

The Panchayat Level Information Network Project progressing in three grama panchayats -- Asamannur, Chottanikkara and Kunnathunad -- is using Linux as the basic operating system (OS). Linux has already attracted notice worldwide from the way it has made even Microsoft look up.

The Relational Database Management functions in the project are handled by PostgreSQL which is an open source code software touted to be equal in efficacy to the costly Oracle and MS-SQL. It also makes use of GRASS for GIS (Geographical Information System) applications and Glib/Gtk+ for GUI (Graphical User Interface) development library. The project uses Glade as GUI application development tool.

The pilot project, being implemented by Project EIID (Ernakulam Industrial Infrastructure Development Project) which was set up under the People's Plan Programme, contends to be a low cost alternative, taking e-governance directly to people at the lowest level, when compared to the high-cost conventional models.

The project which is now getting a close look from the State Planning Board is touted to be a perfect `Kerala Model' just like the one in social development which is characterised by low GDP, but high quality of life indices and acclaimed the world over.

A Planning Board team is expected to visit the three local bodies soon.

According to the Project EIID coordinator, Mr. M. Krishnadas, the induction of ``open source code'' software reduces the cost of adoption of e-governance drastically. The cost reduction helps in taking it to grassroots level at marginal cost, thus ensuring that the benefits of technology induction reaches people on a large scale.

A cost comparison of technology induction at the local body level shows that the use of open source code software helps cut cost drastically, according to Mr. Jomi John of Project EIID. While the cost of using proprietary software was estimated at Rs. 9.56 lakhs for the introduction of e-governance in a typical local body, it was found to be as low as Rs. 90,000 in using open source code software.

The annual recurring cost was estimated to be nil in the case of open source code software while it was pegged at Rs. 72,000 for proprietary software.

In the alternative model, the grama panchayat is the depository of all local-level information. Thus the grama panchayat is empowered to become the backbone of governance. Such an exhaustive database obviates the need for each department to duplicate the effort of collecting and processing data.

Moreover, the existence of such information in an integrated database makes it possible for higher decision-making authorities to get a more complete picture. The database generated is relational with every individual linked to his assets and his social relations. It helps induct ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) principles even while ensuring single office accountability in service rendering.

The data generated covered the domains of the local grama panchayat office, the village office concerned, agricultural office, veterinary office, schools and primary health centre. It was estimated that a typical database would hold records regarding 40,000 individuals, 9,000 households, 1,000 institutions, 25,000 agricultural holdings with particulars of crops and 30,000 revenue sub-divisions of land.

As the data available in Government records were found to be outdated and sketchy, the primary data was generated through survey covering every household of the grama panchayat. The data collection was made easy by the formation of locality-level neighbourhood groups.

While the project helped generate several work-days at the data collection and data entry level, what is significant is that it has provided a platform for open source code software development efforts.

The Ernakulam district panchayat president, Mr. C. V. Ouseph, said the project aimed at delivering the various services of the local bodies to citizens through neighbourhood kiosks. Smart cards would be introduced to facilitate this.

Taking the cue from the project, the Ernakulam district panchayat has proposed to set up an information laboratory to promote development of open source code software.

The achievements on the software side so far include the development of Linux networking skill for the personnel involved in the project. The project has developed a replicable client- server model for Local Resource Database using PostgreSQL on Linux network. A Gtk interface has been developed for PostgreSQL and GUI utility for data entry.

Another major success of the project has been the successful development of a Malayalam phonetic keyboard overlay for GUI in Linux environment. The capability to print Malayalam true type fonts in Linux environment has come as a bonus. A report generating tool for PostgreSQL was designed and developed. The work resulted in authoring several reusable modules for GUI development and for PostgreSQL interface in Linux environment.

It is pointed out that the success achieved by Project EIID has immense significance on the cost front alone in a State which has decided to introduce e-governance in all the nearly 1,000 grama panchayats. With a fully functional open source code laboratory available soon, it would not be difficult to extend the model to urban local bodies also.

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