Pune Zilla Parishad to be awarded Late SS Gadkari Award for innovation in public administration

Pune, June 1, 2023 : Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) has been accorded with the Late SS Gadkari Award for innovation and implementation of Project Mahalabharthi and process mapping of 1183 activities.  

Speaking about the project Ayush Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of Pune Zilla Parishad said, “We identified 1183 work processes across all departments of Zilla Parishad. Each process was mapped about the data required, the decisions to be taken and the nature of order and execution of the decision. For each process, we had to study the law, the rules, the regulations, the government resolutions, orders of various courts, standing orders by superior offices and some practices that have developed. Contradictions had to be reconciled to create coherent processes. We categorized them into 7 types and notified them under the Right to Services Act, 2015 as per an order on 25 January 2022. We delegated several powers of the CEO that were reparative, did not have discretionary decisions and were within the administrative and financial capacity of subordinate officers.”

He further informed that the entire process lasted 7 months and involved all officers and staff of the Zilla Parishad. Such deep research helped in the training and capacity building of all involved concerning the work being carried out by them. These processes were made into encyclopedic manuals and were released by Sharad Pawar on the occasion of Zilla Parishad completing 60 years. Bharat Shendge, additional CEO, Pune ZP,  Kamlakar Randive and Rahul Kalbhor led the efforts in Pune Zilla Parishad.

Speaking further Prasad said, “ In project Mahalabharthi, the Pune ZP worked in collaboration with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) in two phases. In the first phase, the search engine generated a list of schemes based on personal information submitted by the citizen. We piloted this project in Junnar and Ambegaon among tribal communities. In the second phase implemented at Pune Zilla Parishad, we invented the family folder concept and designed the single master form for citizens and families to access all schemes being implemented by Pune ZP. The dynamic system identified the beneficiaries and also helped to process the application. The case management software ensures ease of access and helps people get benefits. It saved costs for publicity and administrative process and ensured adherence to rules. It has enabled us to process a large number of applications within a short period of 15 days. Nearly a lakh persons have used the software and benefitted from various schemes.”  

The award consists of a Rs 10,000 cheque, and a certificate of appreciation at the hands of Chairman, Indian Institute of Public Administration Maharashtra Regional Branch on June 9 in Mantralaya, Mumbai. 

Sameer Pandey, Joint MD of MKCL, Vinayak Kadam, Business Development Manager of MKCL, Anil Deshmukh, Agriculture Development Officer and Dr Shivaji Vidhate, District Animal Husbandry Officer developed this software. 

The CEO also thanked the Indian Institute of Public Administration and Swadheen Kshatriya, former Chief Secretary for recognising the efforts.