Information Technology for effective implementation of IWMP

Andhra Pradesh is the pioneer in introduction of transaction based software in NREGS(National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). It was a very bold step started with a hint of apprehension but over the past few years the advantages associated with this software have been well appreciated by Union Ministry of Rural Development. IWMP in AP is being implemented in close convergence with NREGS by taking due care in allotment of works exclusive to each of the programmes in order to avoid duplication of works/activities. Compared to NREGS, the approach of IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme) is multi pronged with the main aim to restore the ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing degraded natural resources such as soil, vegetative cover and water and create sustainable livelihoods for the asset less poor. There is more complexity in IWMP since it is area based and the allocation between components depends on the percentage of financial outlay they are entitled to.

The transaction based software provides end-to-end solution in the

implementation and institutionalizes operational process for IWMP keeping in mind the objectives of the programme as per prescribed guidelines. Various modules are prepared based on different aspects of the programme implementation. Each module thus prepared is tested for quality by the process of Internal and External Quality Audit which checks the quality of the code within the project and across the projects. and external audits are addressed. Test cases. In the next stage - final inspection takes place a process of ensuring that all the defects detected during internal It is only after passing through all the above vital processes that Change Requests (CRs) are released duly following the Unit Test & System

Key Processes and modules of application:

specifics of each component. Works

As per the

requirement of the programme, the processes and modules have been designed as per

Management of shelf of Works: Action Plans are prepared as per the work segregation and allocation under IWMP & NREGS. Monitoring of Works: Tracking of progress takes place at various stages i.e. technical/admin. sanctions, generation of estimates, commencement of work, muster and measurement entries, completion of work etc.

Management

of

Wages

and

Material :

Cost

of

each

structure

is

predetermined as per RSSR (Rural Standard Schedule of Rates). Accordingly, system will generate a FTO (Fund Transfer Order) for both wage and material components separately.

Admin Module:

Establishment costs inclusive of salaries and office maintenance are worked out and ceilings fixed with various checks and validations. Ceilings are also fixed for various sub- heads under office maintenance on monthly/quarterly/yearly basis as per requirement. Checks and counter checks are in built in the system to alert when ceilings are exceeded to avoid excess payments inadvertently.

Accounts Module: Component wise ceilings are fixed for all projects as per eligibility which ensures that the expenditure is limited to the project cost. Module takes care of all accounting needs. It covers the works costs, wage payments, funds receipt (allocation or otherwise), transfer (distribution), claims, miscellaneous receipts and advances under the Scheme. Tracking of financial discipline at various levels is possible which minimises leakage of funds. The tool of efms enables quick transfer of funds with transparency and accuracy. Delegation of financial powers is restricted to authorised users identified thru Digital Signature Keys used for financial transactions. To allow flexibility in operation, advances are allowed to authorised persons/designations with the check to ensure that not more than two advances are outstanding at any point of time. Maintenance of manual accounting is done away with All the mandatory registers and books like, FTO, advance adjustment registers, cash book, General Ledger are generated in the system as per required periodicity.,

Institution & Capacity Building: Project specific tracking of various community mobilisation activities is made possible since the unit costs are fixed and payments are made thru efms (Electronic Fund Management System). The levels at which the training activities take place, the target groups and cost norms are predetermined and fed into the module which facilitates drawing of advances and subsequent adjustments.

DPR Application: Predefined base format details, SES (Socio Economic Survey) module enabling online data feeding. Generation of reports at Micro and Cluster levels is done automatically maintaining uniformity of reports across all projects. Speeds up report generation and there will not be data gaps between the input data fed into the system and the data that is reflected in the reports and PNP

(Participatory Net Planning) formats, Action Plans etc are introduced in the

Payments are linked to the number of entries made into the module which acts as a check against over payment.

Reports module: Generation of reports depending on the user requirement at all levels besides generating real time information on the composition of wage seekers (gender wise) and various other issues is made possible with minimum effort as given below. Field level: Sanction details, estimates, FTOs, Work status report etc., District level: Monitoring of physical and financial progress, State level: Financial, analytical and performance related reports to monitor the overall status of implementation of the programme.

Convergence with NREGS: By synchronizing eFMS with both IWMP & NREGS,
funds are being drawn from both the schemes by the Project Officer / PIA for executing the designated activities eg: Dry land horticulture payments are drawn directly from NREGS by using the same DSK (Digital Signature Key) thus resulting in the best possible convergence.

Development of IWMP online Application

Efforts are on to develop a complete online based application which will envisage generation of real time results. As part of online conversion WCC level application has been developed and deployed in Chittoor district on pilot basis. Based on the pilot feedback necessary changes have been made and the application implemented in Khammam and Srikakulam districts. The remaining IWMP districts will also be migrated from offline to online in phased manner. Development of online application for DWMA & SLNA levels is under progress .

Impact
All the above processes have been developed, evolved and stabilized over a period of time by making exemplary efforts owing to the complexity of the programme leading to excellent results.

These efforts have enriched the programme.

the department with good administrative and

financial controls essential for smooth implementation, reviewing and monitoring of

It has enabled Gender Equity - Software provides for non discrimination - equal wages for equal work irrespective of gender ensuring Gender parity in wage distribution.

It led to the Empowerment of poor and landless labourers since they receive their wages timely and at their doorstep.

Reduction in payment cycle. Facility of editing of data at different stages duly following the processes. The real time data and reports helped in tracking the progress/status of the programme effectively (drilled down up to component level in each watershed village), hence resulting in effective monitoring of the performance.

All the above led to better transparency and accountability in operational mechanism and administration.

IWMP Web Portal

http://www.iwmp.ap.gov.in is the URL for IWMP in AP.

Available for public domain to access reports and documents pertaining to the programme. A special Request Tracking System (RTS) is devised to resolve day to day issues at various levels of programme functionaries through proper escalating mechanism.