KATHMANDU, July 8: In an attempt to promote transparency, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) office is all set to initiate paperless governance system starting from the upcoming fiscal year 2016\\017.

The KMC is planning to introduce paperless governance by implementing the Municipal Administration and Revenue System (MARS) for the first time in Nepal.

According to Rudra Singh Tamang, chief executive officer of KMC, they are all set to initiate paperless governance in 12 wards out of 35 in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the first phase. Rest of the wards will implement the paperless governance system after two months only.

Although the KMC was planning to introduce the paperless governance system in all the wards at once, they couldn't work as per their plans due to lack of trained manpower.

 “Once the system of paperless governance will be implemented, 80% of the total services will be paperless and each ward will have 100% database system alongside,” said Tamang.

KMC officials believe that with the introduction of the system, the service delivery will be more transparent, effective and less time consuming. “As the data is stored in the system itself, the administrative system will be sustainable for it can be used as and when required in the future,” they said.

The paperless system under MARS contains Financial Management and Accounting, Budget Monitoring and Planning, Fixed Assets Accounting, Revenue Management, Citizens Interface, Human Resources and Management, Office Management, Decision Support System and Management Information System, among others.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development is planning to implement the system in other municipalities too if the pilot project of KMC is proves to be a good decision. In order to implement the system, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had provided financial support.

Meanwhile, the KMC will also operate its Electronic Building Permit System in all 35 wards starting from mid-July. The system is currently in use only in few wards.

 
• kathmandu metropolitan city
 
• paperless governance system
 
• municipal administration and revenue system
 
• rudra singh tamang