New collector K Muhammad Y Safirulla bats for e-governance

KOCHI: Maximum efforts would be made to implement the much-delayed e-governance programme which will ensure transparency in government offices and provide services to the public, said new district collector K. Muhammad Y Safirulla, a techie by profession. While addressing a meet the press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club on Thursday, Mr. Safirulla said that the major hurdle in implementing the programme was the absence of technical infrastructure like laptops and desktops.

“Major focus should be on addressing the shortage of facilities and giving training to the employees. Anybody can track the status of their application through the website once the programme is fully launched. E-governance is the key to inculcate transparency, openness and a corruption-free system of public administration in the country,” he observed.

Responding to queries on the top priorities, Mr. Safirulla said that welfare schemes would be given special consideration. “I have been studying in detail about the proposed Kochi Cancer Centre. Implementation of the project will be taken up with utmost priority,” he said. The Collector also observed that since the city was home to a series of mega development projects funded by the Union and State governments such as Kochi Metro, Water Metro and Smart City, the district administration had an important role and responsibility.