GUWAHATI, July 2 - As a move towards infusing transparency in governance, the Finance Department is all set to introduce �file-tracking� mechanism in its departmental activities. This system will be a part of the department�s 100-day programme that will allow all concerned, including the public, to track the position of a file.
Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal about this new innovation at a meeting held at the conference room of the Assam Secretariat today. Once this new system is inducted in the Finance Department, it will be replicated in all the departments of the government. Moreover, the Finance Department has also taken steps to disburse Fixation of Ceiling (FOC) to all departments and offices electronically within 100 days.
The Finance Department will also take the recourse of �online� system to prepare the budget and distribute the same to all offices and maintain a constant link with the Reserve Bank of India through a Core Banking Solution �e-Kuber�. Besides taking help of �online� mode for preparing salary bills, preparation for a comprehensive database for all government employees are in the list of priorities of the department.
Chief Minister Sonowal also stressed furnishing timely utilisation certificates against different schemes by the departments. Emphasising timely completion of the welfare schemes, Sonowal asked all departments to ensure completion of all major schemes within three years. He also said that if a particular department cannot fully complete the scheme within the stipulated period, the departmental head would have to cite the reason for it.
Sarma revealed that in order to ensure timely execution of the schemes, the Finance Department is sincerely contemplating to bring in a legislation. He also informed that the Assam Treasury Rules and Subsidiary Ordinance and the Delegation of Financial Rules would be updated very soon along with creating a pensioners database for the State.
Moreover, the meeting also deliberated upon finalising �100 days programme� for the Tourism Department. The Chief Minister stressed the need for a comprehensive and planned development of the tourism sector in Assam. A new Tourism Policy for Assam also featured in the department�s 100-day programme. Moreover, two brand ambassadors and online booking system for the tourist lodges have also been mooted to attract tourists.
Sonowal also highlighted the need for adequate publicity of the State�s tourism potential like wildlife, cultural heritage, tea and rural tourism, sports and river tourism, et al. He also asked the department to adopt planned approaches to increase inflow of tourists. For the development of the Umrangshoo Lake in Dima Hasao and introduction of night ferry service to Majuli, appropriate steps will be taken.
The Chief Minister also asked the department to take the initiative to attract tourists even during the rainy season. The Chief Minister has also been informed that the Tourism Department would take up a project worth Rs 32 crore for the development of the Kamakhya Temple within the next 100 days. A tea museum involving Rs 3 crore will also be constructed in Dibrugarh. Sonowal said that since the heritage of Assam is intrinsically intertwined with tea, the proposed tea museum should reflect the uniqueness of Assam as the largest tea-producing State and make it a national and international attraction for tourists. If necessary, the State Government will allot more funds for the project.
Sonowal also stressed the need for making tourism industry as the hot spot for creating employment avenues and asked the department to do the needful for skill development of local youths as tourist guides. Moreover, the department will create a �single window system� for according approval to all cinemas made on Assam tourism.
