WORLD BANK PRAISED GURUVAYUR MUNCIPALITY

WORLD BANK PRAISED GURUVAYUR MUNCIPALITY

World Bank has praised Guruvayur municipality in its website for extending the benefits of Information Technology to both residents and devotees visiting Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. Guruvayur Temple hosts 150 marriages a day. Though the number of marriages is rising, municipal authorities are able to issue marriage certificates within a reasonable timeframe with the help of the software developed by Information Kerala Mission, the website says. The initiative was part of the municipality's project 'Instant Registration of Marriages' which was mooted in January 2009 aiming at issuing marriage certificates in 30 minutes.

The website also praises the other computerization and e-governance initiatives implemented by the municipality. File tracking software Soochika was installed here to help the public find the status of the application or the complaint filed by them. There are other initiatives such as e-filing of taxes and applications for licences and permits. The website also mentions that the municipality is planning to introduce an e-payment gateway and GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping of land for issuing building permits without site visit.According to the website, Information Technology helped the municipality bring transparency into its operations and improve its functioning.The website also praises the efforts of former municipal secretary, N Vijayakumar, and former chairman M Krishnadas who were instrumental in implementing these projects.

                                                                        Prof. John Kurakar