Transparency software remains opaque

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Centre has requested all states to implement a model accounting system to bring in transparency in the execution of all the anti-poverty programmes, the software provided to the states is having many deficiencies."The State Government has put in a lot of effort to roll out Panchayati Raj accounting software (PRIYASoft) in all the gram panchayats. I am sure the PRIYASoft application will become user-friendly,’’ said Panchayati Raj Secretary PK Jena in a letter to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj with ‘scepticism’.He, however, pointed out certain shortcomings in the existing software. Generation of scheme-wise daybook, cashbook and consolidated cashbook in a desired format, trial balance and ledger report, receipt statement, income and expenditure report and balance-sheet is not possible with the existing software, he said.Highlighting the measures taken by the Government to usher in e-initiative to bring in transparency, Jena said PRIYASoft needed to be made user-friendly. Even as the State is facing charges of serious financial irregularities under MGNREGS, it was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh for its e-Governance initiative for monitoring utilisation of funds at the panchayat level.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented the award to the State on National Panchayat Divas Day in New Delhi on April 24.With more than Rs 3,500 crore flowing into the three-tier panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) for implementation of various anti-poverty and food-security programmes, proper management of such huge funds at panchayat level is the biggest challenge before the Government.Realising the staff shortage at the panchayat level, the Eleventh Finance Commission had recommended streamlining the financial management of rural local bodies. As per the recommendation of the Centre, the State introduced a software called PAMIS for maintaining accounts at panchayat samiti and zilla parishad levels.After detecting some shortcomings in PAMIS, a revised version __ PRIYASoft __ was introduced in all the panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads. The State also took the lead in automation of panchayat accounting system to bring in transparency in the financial transaction at panchayat level.About 14,000 PRI functionaries were provided training on computer and  application of PRIYASoft. Computers, provided to all the panchayats, were put to use instantly by the gram rozgar sevaks engaged under MGNREGS.  The network, provided by BSNL, has been helpful in providing internet connectivity.