[Fsf-friends] E-Governance efforts in Kerala : CAG indicting IKM

doxa at antispam doxa@[EMAIL-PROTECTED]
Mon Jan 8 11:54:22 IST 2007


http://cag.nic.in/cag_reports/kerala/rep_2004/LB_08_CHAPTER_IV_.pdf
is the original document of Comptroller and Auditor General indicting (the most dubious e-governance project in the subcontinent) IKM and Government (exposing the links that senior IAS officials have with the project and Microsoft).

"A review of the implementation of the project was conducted by Audit during February – July 2003 with reference to records in IKM headquarters, one Grama Panchayat2 and two Municipal Corporations3. The bilingual data base in SQL4 Server in MS Access format was analysed using Computer Assisted Audit Technique and sample test method."
==> Project clearly involves proprietary corporate solution.

"Government stated (July 2004) that the unutilised Central assistance of Rs 25.72 crore released during March 2003, according to ways and means position, had been deposited in the PD account of the Director of Panchayats. As IKM had utilised only Rs 2.37 crore during 2003-04, there was no justification to release funds of that magnitude to them."
==> (in this period we have farmers committing suicides)

"Wasteful expenditure of Rs 69.78 lakh to train technical persons                                                           The expenditure of Rs 69.78 lakh incurred on selection, training and stipend to the apprentice trainees had become a waste. The Government stated (November 2004) that the expenditure incurred on training of technical persons was insignificant compared to substantial cost
benefits that would accrue from BOLT mode. The reply is not tenable as the wasteful expenditure represented 22% of funds earmarked for training (Rs 3.15 crore).."
==> 3.15 crore for training - includes food, accommodation, travel and campfire expenses - truly 5 star for a State like Kerala.

"Though the administrative control of IKM was transferred from the SPB to LSGD in July 2001, no fresh agreement was executed between C-DIT and LSGD for continuation of the project after 31 March 2001.  Government stated (November 2004) that steps were taken to sign the MoU between C-DIT and LSGD with effect from April 2001. Such agreement with
retrospective effect will not serve the desired purpose."
==> Conspiracy between State Planning Board and Local Self Government Department

"In the absence of higher level suitable provision for validation of data at an upper level, there was a risk of issuing incorrect certificates, as the integrity of the data input cannot be                       vouchsafed. "
==> Even if it is technically corrected, the platforms and standards are proprietary and the risk  would only continue.

"The Government stated (November 2004) that online operation of Soochika and Sevana had commenced. But online operation of Sulekha, Sanchaya and Samkhya is yet to start."
==> IKM presenting plain lies before public with Government approval.

"Due to inadequate controls for authorizing and capturing system access logs, the security of the system cannot be vouchsafed."
==> Since freedom to access software components is missing, security is not there and can never be there.


All this and more at http://cag.nic.in/cag_reports/kerala/rep_2004/LB_08_CHAPTER_IV_.pdf
========
As of now, the Executive Mission Director of IKM has been promoted to be Chairman of IKM and is a member of State Planning Board. The earlier Planning Secretary, SPB is now Secretary to LSG Department (under whose control now IKM also comes). ==> simple switching theory.

CK Raju
Thrissur


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