Grab of the link of the SMS-based monitoring system

Patna, May 8: The launch of Bihar government’s SMS-based monitoring system to keep tabs on progress of various schemes being implemented in field drew scepticism about its utility initially.

However, almost one-and-half-year down the line, this initiative, which uses technology for better delivery of development schemes, may be used in other states of India and also some other south Asian countries.

An initiative of Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission (BPSM) that was launched in December 2009, the SMS-based monitoring system ensures daily monitoring of works done by field officials.

Under this system, over 5,000 field officials send SMSes to a server giving details about the progress made in implementation of various welfare schemes.

Some of the major schemes covered under this system are Indira Awas Yojana, hospitals, anganbadi kendras, those responsible for implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme and others.

A team, comprising members of One World Foundation, India, and experts from Nepal and Bangladesh, is coming to Bihar on May 10 during which it would study the functioning of the system. The team members would be visiting Vaishali district to have a first-hand account of the functioning of the system.

The India chapter of One World Foundation is a network of organisations, which is working to disseminate information about innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT) in development work among Indian states as well as in other south Asian countries. The foundation has collaboration with the World Bank Institute among others for carrying out this work.

“Apart from our office-bearers, experts from partner agencies of Bangladesh and Nepal would study the methodology of SMS-based monitoring system and based on their analysis they would recommend the use of this technology in other Indian states as well is in other south Asian countries,” One World Foundation, India, managing director Naimur Rahman said over the phone today.

Notwithstanding the interest shown by others, BPSM has decided to go for a major overhaul of the SMS-based monitoring system.

“We have solicited suggestions from departmental secretaries and district magistrates (DMs) to suggest the points, which should be included under the SMS-based monitoring system. Based on these inputs instructions would be given to field officials about the changed norms of reporting,” a BPSM official, preferring anonymity, told The Telegraph.

Some of the changes which BPSM has planned on its own are introduction of data related to pending applications of Indira Awas Yojana, number of children who were present in a given anganbadi kendra when the official concerned visited it and many others.

“These changes have been planned to have a better understanding of the schemes being implemented in field,” said the official.