A Response of Professionals in Information Kerala Mission to the points raised in the study commissioned by the Free Software Foundation - Page 8
 
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2. Glaring misses on IKM activities

The report 'Information Kerala Mission – Vision, Mission and Reality' is claimed to be a study on computerisation programs in Local Self Government Institutions in Kerala.

Interestingly the document covers only three pilot Panchayats in Thiruvananthapuram district. The attempted depiction of the 'reality of IKM' is based on the hazy and blurred impressions of IKM’s work in these pilots, the limitations of which have been cited earlier. The most glaring contradiction arises when the Addendum report which concludes that local body computerisation has failed on grounds that the pilots have failed (which of course we have contested) enlist multifarious other activities which IKM had been doing (while evaluating additional resource flows to IKM) but remains shamelessly silent on the impact, user acceptance and success of these activities. Why other activities taken up by IKM were also not evaluated at least for completeness sake, when judgements were made that the 'IKM project for LSGI computerisation is a complete disaster' and ‘the project goes on unendingly, without any clear direction or objective, eating away crores of rupees of public money, and without yielding any result in an extensive period spanning more than five long years’? Orwas it a foregone conclusion and the study at Vellanad itself was only a presentation gimmick? In the messages in FSF-Friends forum[i], Shri C.K. Raju raised the issue of performance of IKM and resource use of IKM wildly on 18th January 2003 itself when Vellanad was just launched. He had alleged that IKM had spent fifty crores as overheads to establish Vellanad. The vehemence and intolerance in his messages right from the initiation of the activities in Vellanad are ample proof of the bias and prejudices involved in the study report and the addendum.

IKM being a public project is open for public introspection and we advocate total transparency on this. We have nothing to hide. But why this apology of a study report of professionals to justify indictments made much earlier? Here are a few glimpses of IKM’s achievements.

  1. Completed a comprehensive system study on various aspects of local government functioning.
    1. The seven volumes of system study manual were later approved by the Director of Panchayats as their official operations manual.
    2. The first volume of the system study manual was accepted by the State Planning Board as the official training manual on decentralised planning process as early as 2000[ii].
    3. The system study manual of IKM has become the background material for several publications of KILA and Cap Deck.[iii]
       
  2. Developed ninety-six versions of standalone application software modules[iv] forming part of twelve application suites for various aspects of LSGI functioning, the development being tried out and improved using Barry Boehm’s Spiral model of Software Development and Enhancement.
     
  3. Published the first text book on Computer fundamentals in Malayalam.[v]
     
  4. Published thirteen Manuals, three Exercise Books, one FAQ and two general training materials on various aspects of application use and deployment.[vi]
     
  5. Trained 2971 persons in various aspects of computer use, application handling, deployment and implementation. Another 12,807 persons were given orientation or involved in various workshops conducted by IKM.[vii]
     
  6. Compiled databases on various aspects of plan implementation, local body functioning and ICT development in the state during the last several years.[viii]

  7. vii)Developed several methodologies of ICT applications in the context of a developing country, some of which are of general interest whereas others are context specific.[ix]
     
  8. Established web sites for 1215 local self government institutions comprising local level statistics, maps and several other aspects of demography, polity, administration and resource management.[x]
     
  9. Pilots going on in 145 grama panchayats, three Municipalities, five Corporations.[xi]
     
  10. Pilots running in the four Corporations for the last eighteen months have by now handled more than 16 lakh transactions amounting to more than Rs.87 crore. Premises mapping exercise launched in the Corporations as part of the second phase of implementation in two of these locations would greatly enhance the tax collection of the Corporations.
     
  11. Site readiness ensured in 528 local bodies and pursued in 687.
     
  12. District level pilot for integrated monitoring, DPC strengthening and provision for block level helpdesks ongoing.
     
  13. District level pilots for Sevana rollout initiated in two districts and is about to be initiated in one more district.
     
  14. Janasevana Kendrams established in 12 locations, due to be initiated in 3 more locations.
     
  15. State level cadastral system being established.
     
  16. Brought out 13 publications on various aspects of LSGI functioning.[xii]
     
  17. Handled all aspects of plan processes including logistic support for finalising guidelines, G/N proforma, expenditure reporting; publishing, printing, distribution and collection of plan formulation and expenditure details in all the 1215 LSGIs during the tenth five year plan, data-entry of these plan formulation and expenditure details.
     
  18. Handling various aspects of reforms in property tax, accounting including preparation of draft act, rules, manuals etc.
     
  19. Continued support to the Kerala Development Program, Decentralisation Support Program (LSG component) and Modernising Government Programme (LSG component) and Service Delivery project (LSG Component) including preparation of documents, proposals, IEC material etc.
     
  20. Initiated computerisation of Provident Fund of employees in Panchayats.
     
  21. Launched the most extensive computerisation programme using Indian Languages:
    1. Initiated discussions with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for finalising and resolving the problems with the Malayalam fonts, especially those for web-based applications and Indian language for application controls
    2. IKM has developed a number of applications in multilingual interface including Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil
    3. Initiated pioneering work on Malayalam OCR
    4. OCR for handwritten numerals has also been developed and is undergoing finalisation. This would have a tremendous impact on the digitisation of accounts data in LSGIs.
       
  22. Worked out a detailed programme for ICT dissemination through social animators and was involved in the orientation, training and monitoring social animators in each local body in Malappuram district as part of the Akshaya project and is also the programme management agency in the Akshaya state level rollout.

These are in addition to the computerisation of election results during the Panchayat–Nagarpalika elections 2000, identification training and positioning of Data Mechanic Trainees, Master Trainers, Technical Asistants and Mission Co-ordinators in all the 1215 local bodies, Plan consolidation exercises during the ninth five year plan and various other technical support activities for the peoples plan campaign cell including preparation of micro watershed maps for the entire state.

Considering the accomplishments of IKM, organisations like ITU and MIT, Government of India have made the following recommendations:

  1. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the apex body for ICTs in the United Nations, has short listed the IKM initiatives as one of the most promising initiatives across the globe.[xiii]
     
  2. Based on the studies conducted by the Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India, has signed an MoU with the Government of Kerala for technical assistance in e-governance, in which IKM is mentioned as one specific project.[xiv]
     

Do you think that the reality of truth and truth of reality of achievements of IKM can be camouflaged by such Goebbelsian propagandas?

...Next PageIV. Conclusion; V. Appeal to FSF

[i]     http://mm.gnu.org.in/pipermail/fsf-friends/2003-January/000585.html

[ii]     The volume was separately published by the State Planning Board

[iii]     The following publications of KILA and Cap Deck uses IKM systems study manual:

[iv]     The details of versions across application suites are given below:

S.No. Name of Suite No. of versions
1. Soochika 7
2. Sevana

 20
3. Sulekha 21
4. Sanchaya 13
5. Sanchitha 2
6. Sachithra 2
7. Sahatha 2
8. Sthapana 2
9. Sankhya 2
10. Samvedhitha 2
11. Susrutha 1
12. Saphalya 2
13. Samoohya 6
14. Surekha 1
15. Swathanthra 1
16. OIK 2
17. Eagle 1
18. Janavidhi 1
19. CPIN 2
20. Samoohya 6
    96

[v]      In 3 editions of "Computer Parichayavum Prayogavum" brought out by IKM (with C-DIT, State Institute of Languages and University of Kerala), 15,000 copies have already been printed and the 4th edition is about to be printed.

[vi]      The details of some of the important manuals and training materials are as follows:
S.No. Title Category
1. Windows Manual
2. MS Word Manual
3. MS Word Exercise book
4. MS Excel Manual
5. MS Excel Exercise book
6. Internet Manual
7. C-DAC ISM Manual-cum-exercise book
8. MS PowerPoint Manual
9. Sevana – registrations and pensions and social welfare schemes Manual
10. SevanaPDE Manual
11. Sulekha 9th Plan Manual
12. Sulekha 9th Plan Exercise book
13. Sulekha 10th Plan – pre-processing and data-entry Manual
14. Sulekha 10th Plan FAQ
15. Sulekha Manual
16. Sahatha Manual
17. Saphalya Manual
18. IKM Methodology General training material
19. ICT & Society General training material

[vii]     The category wise particulars of some application training programs conducted by IKM is provided below:

S.No. Title No. of trainees
1. State level training programme on Panchayat Computerisation organised by the State Planning Board at Kumarakom Panchayat 60
2. Technical training – Phase 1 420
3. Field work on PMS 30
4. Intensive Technical training 28
5. Block Level Expert Committee Coordinators 120
6. Senior Technical Assistants/ Technical Assistants 100
7. Orientation for personnel at Pilot Grama Panchayats 147
8. Pilot rollout Sevana hands-on Training (staff of Madavoor, Vellanad, Kattakada Grama Panchayat) 6
9. Pilot rollout Sevana hands-on Training (staff of Kattakada and Vilavoorkal Grama Panchayat) 3
10. Training on ICT to outstanding primary class students who are from financially and socially backward families, and their teachers 80
11. Officers of the District Planning Office and State Planning Board 89
12. Municipalities Secretaries – Batch 1 20
13. Municipalities staff – 2 batches 29
14. Training of Corporation staff – Kozhikode Corporation 50
15. Training of Corporation staff – Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur Corporations 30
16. Training of staff of Panchayat Directorate, Batch 1 30
17. Training of Corporation staff – Kozhikode Corporation – Batch 2 48
18. Training of Corporation staff – Kochi Corporation – Batch 2 20
19. Training of Corporation staff – Kollam Corporation – Batch 2 21
20. Training of Corporation staff – Thrissur Corporation – Batch 2 18
21. Training of staff of Vellanad Panchayat – 2 batches 10
22. Training of staff of Municipal Directorate - 3 batches 50
23. Training for typists and CAs of State Planning Board – 2 batches 20
24. Training of TAs on SevanaPDE – Malappuram Sevana implementation 24
25. Training to Junior Health Inspectors of Thrissur Corporation 12
26 Training of staff and elected members of Vellanad Panchayat 15
27. Training of LSGD staff – 6 batches 32
28. Training of staff of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation 20
29. Training of staff and councillors of Kochi Corporation – 10 batches 233
30. Training to staff of the Economics & Statistics Department – 3 batches 160
31. Training to LSGI staff – Sulekha Web based plan monitoring 1019
32. Training of Municipal Secretaries – Batch 2 5
33. Training to Kasaragod Municipality staff and Kasaragod District Panchayat staff 22
    2971

In addition to the above training programmes, numerous workshops, and orientation and awareness programmes have been conducted by IKM (usually of 1 day duration), some of which are listed below:

S.No. Title No. of participants
1. Seminar on District Plan-SPB 38
2. Meeting of Technical Education Dept Heads - Thiruvananthapuram 34
3. Regional meeting of Technical Education institution heads – Kozhikkode 20
4. Regional meeting of Technical Education institution heads - Ernakulam 23
5. Regional meeting of Technical Education institution heads -Thiruvananthapuram 30
6. PRAWNS - State level workshop 35
7. PMS State level workshop - PMS prototype demo 53
8. C-PIN - State level meeting of district representatives 32
9. Regional Meeting – Grama Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries – Kozhikode 664
10. Regional Meeting – Grama Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries – Ernakulam 796
11. Regional Meeting – Grama Panchayat Presidents and Secretaries – Thiruvananthapuram 568
12. C-PIN-State level workshop of district representatives for consolidation and review 42
13. Workshop on local body computerisation at Kumarakom 132
14. Preliminary workshop - Municipality system study 18
15. PMS Beta Testing: Dept. Heads (implementing offices) meeting at Collectorate 67
16. PMS Beta Testing Block level meetings 720
17. PMS Beta testing: Workshop and training of field personnel at Vellayani 540
18. PMS Beta Testing Implementing officer level meetings 863
19. 25 day Workshop on panchayat system study documentation at IMG, Barton Hill 98
20. Presentation of PMS and sharing of experiences of Beta testing with mobile team at Karakulam 67
21. Community web portal - Preliminary workshop at Karakulam 35
22. Training of Field Trainees and interaction with panchayat officials on PMS 2426
23. Workshop for finalising Vellanad pensions and schemes 63
24. Community Portal & IT Trends (Ponnani) 380
25. IT@Palakkad 300
26. Computers and Internet (Vivara Vidya Jyoti – Vilavoorkal GP) 440
27. Community Portal – Tirurangadi 260
28. ICT & Society (Manjeri) 160
29. ICT for people - A Human centered approach to grass roots level empowerment (Mararikulam) 485
30. Application of IT Challenges in Municipal Administration in the new context 60
31. Vellanad Vision 2020 70
32. Workshop on Vellanad web portal 110
33. Urban local body web site – workshop at Kochi 228
34. Ensuring Site readiness – regional meetings 950
35. 10th Plan district-wise dataentry – regional meetings 2200
    12807

[viii]     The following are some of the databases of public interest compiled by IKM during its functioning.

S.No. Database Category
1.

C-PIN (Constraints for Penetration of Information Network in Kerala) which included the following databases:

  1. Details of infrastructural facilities existing in the Grama Panchayats
  2. Details of computer projects undertaken by Grama Panchayat
  3. Details of Implementing offices
  4. Personal profile of panchayat employees identified as operators
  5. Personal profile of panchayat Secretaries and Presidents
  6. Personal profile of implementing office staff
  7. Details of trainees regarding their computer/electronic background, if any
Non-spatial
2. Database on training and support institutions in Kerala Non-spatial
3. Database on details of polytechnics and engineering colleges Non-spatial
4. Database of election results of the Panchayat-Nagarpalika elections 2000 for State Election Commission Non-spatial
5. Profile of Elected Representatives (Panchayat-Nagarpalika elections 2000) for State Election Commission Non-spatial
6. Consolidated details of the Panchayat level statistics published by the Department of Economics & Statistics in a database format for the Web portal localgovkerala.net Non-spatial
7. Consolidated details from Vikasana Report for the Web portal localgovkerala.net Non-spatial
8. Consolidated the 10th Plan details from LSGIs Non-spatial
9. Details of urban local bodies including office bearers, contact details, etc. (EAGLE) Non-spatial
10. Database on the site readiness status of LSGIs Non-spatial
11. GIS based micro watershed details of all 152 blocks in Kerala Spatial
12. State level and District level GIS databases of LSGIs in Kerala Spatial
13. GIS database of Thiruvananthapuram district Spatial
14. Ward level database of selected LSGIs Spatial
15. Digital terrain model (DTM) of Vellanad Grama Panchayat Spatial

[ix] The details of methodologies developed by IKM are detailed below:

S.No. Name of Methodology Category
1. Human centred approach to ICTs General
2. Participative Technology Development and Application in the context of ICT General
3. Premises Mapping Specific
4. Tax Mapping in LSGIs Specific
5. Hospital Kiosk model for Birth and Death Registration Specific
6. Citizen database Specific
7. Local level statistics Specific
8. One time accounts updating Specific

[x]       Details of website of LSGIs are provided below:
URL of portal: http://www.localgovkerala.net.
This is one of the largest local language websites.
The site has over 1 lakh pages
The data occupying over 1 GB space contains maps, socio-economic details, statistical details, and details of LSGI elected representatives of all the 1215 LSGIs in Kerala.
It also contains reference material on Acts, Rules and Judgements with decentralisation and LB functions and major Commission reports.

[xi]       Details of ongoing pilots are provided below.

S.No. Description District Panchayat Corporation Municipality Grama Panchayat
1. Sevana   5 3 145
2. One time accounts updating   1 1 4
3. All applications 1 2 1 1

[xii]      Publications brought out by IKM related to LSGI functioning

Note:   The above list does not include papers published in journals, papers presented in seminars, etc.

[xiii]      The IKM project is mentioned in “E-Government” as part of the series on “ICT Success Stories – ITU Research and Analysis” for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
http://www.itu.int/itunews/issue/2003/06/government.html

A case study of IKM is also published by ITU with the title "Local e-governance in India". The IKM project is cited as model for ICT development in local governance in India.
More details at: http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsis-themes/ict_stories/Informationkeralamissioncasestudy.html

[xiv]      The Kerala IT Mission has announced the signing of MOU between the Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India and Government of Kerala to "provide technical assistance to Kerala to address the technology, financing, structuring of specific business models, process reengineering and organisational issues that need to be dealt within the course of implementation of the identified projects in e-governance".  IKM is identified as a project in this initiative. (http://www.keralaitmission.org/newsrelease/kerala_egovernance_mou.html).