In the 2009-2010 fiscal, BEST managed to spend only a little over one-tenth of the amount allocated for computerisation of its nine departments.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST), which prides itself for being one of Asia’s largest transport undertaking, appears to have retained its old systems of administration. In the 2009-2010 fiscal, BEST managed to spend only a little over one-tenth of the amount allocated for computerisation of its nine departments.
According to opposition committee member Ravi Raja, of the Rs39.19 crore allocated in the budget for computerisation, only Rs4.70 crore was spent. He was referring to the data published in the BEST budget estimate for the 2011-2012 fiscal.
Raja also said that with a few exceptions, most of the “remarks” explaining the inability of the administration to spend the allocated money - as mentioned in the budget document - are unsatisfactory.
However, committee member of the ruling Shiv Sena, Sunil Ganacharya, said: “The general manager pointed out in his reply to the criticism that in many cases the capital expenditure could not be done because the expected revenue had not been received.
Also, the undertaking had the burden of interest on loans and overdrafts. All these factors contributed to a reduction in overall capital expenditure.”
However, he added that the administration should have factored in all these issues at the planning stage itself.
Echoing Ganacharya’s views on this aspect, Raja complained that the administration is not serious about computerisation. He pointed out that within three years the BMC had fully implemented the computerisation project. “I have been listening about computerisation in BEST for the past five years! If he decides, the general manager can fully computerise BEST in 2 years.”
BEST general Manager OP Gupta admitted there has been a delay in execution of projects. He said, “This happens with any systems improvement or infrastructure project.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}