Koshwahini, the IT project for the Finance Department, Government of Maharashtra, covers provision of ICT support to all 33- district treasuries, 292 sub-treasuries, Pay & Accounts office, Mumbai and the development of web based fiscal decision support system. The software has been developed and implemented by NIC, Pune. All 292 sub-treasuries have been provided with a stand alone PC, Printer and a 1200 V. generator. The sub treasury officers generate their daily account using the software provided and then it is transmitted in electronic format to district treasury. All treasuries have been provided with the requisite hardware and user-friendly software which takes care of daily closing of treasury accounts, incorporation of sub-treasury accounts in electronic format, incorporation of electronic bank scroll data.
The Treasury software Ex-ACCT –Software for Expenditure, Audit, Accounts, Cheques and Tokens Treasury is a vital link in the financial structure of the state government. It is the starting point of recording, classification and compilation of the Public Account in India. Each claim presented on government finance, at the PAO / treasury / sub treasury is scrutinized, passed for payment and accounted. Monthly Accounts for payment and receipt are submitted to Accountant General along with the supporting vouchers, challans and schedules. A comprehensive software has been implemented for online Bill processing and accounting in PAO / treasuries. The functional modules cover: Gate pass, Bill Receipts, Audit, Pension, Delivery, Reconciliation, Personal Ledger Accounting, Receipts, Post Payment Audit, Bill Tracking, Master Maintenance, Status (MIS for PAO / Treasury Officer). The system has enriched the quality of work of the treasuries and lead to efficient management of the increased workload.
Pension Automation System (PAS) The PAO / District Treasuries are entrusted with the Pension Disbursement of around 4 lakh pensioners in the State. The system maintains details and history of pensioners, their 12 months payments, commutation, family / nomination, revision and allocation. The data collected is available through the web enabled Query module providing around 22 queries and reports, with graphical representation.
Web Based Decision Support System Koshwahini includes the web based decision support system launched by Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries, Government of Maharashtra. A centralized database is maintained on a high-end central server located at Mantralaya, Mumbai to support the system. Koshwahini can be accessed through Intranet as well as Internet. The data from 33 district treasuries, 292 sub treasuries and P.A.O., Mumbai is uploaded daily on the central database.
Expenditure/Receipt Management /Budget control Koshwahini tracks the current status of bills at all 33 District Treasuries & Pay and Accounts office, Mumbai. The system views the expenditure and receipt position in consolidated totals as well as at the voucher and challan level. The vouchers and challans can be displayed with details i.e. deductions for the vouchers, the components forming the gross amount of the bill, expenditure on petrol. Queries can be submitted through a form selecting Region, District, Sub-Treasury, Period, D.D.O. (Drawing & Disbursing Officer), Major Head, Scheme, Detail head, Department. Details of pending cheques with their amounts helps the Finance Secretaries to arrive at the total liability of the Government and control the overdraft position of the state. The expenditure can be viewed vis-à-vis the budget allotted, the payment for various operational schemes can be monitored and controlled. The system has introduced the transparency in government accounts. It has also demonstrated the need for strong networking and centralized data store, for all Govt. functions.
Extract of Budget Speech March- 2003 by Finance Minister, Maharashtra “I am happy to state that the Koshwahini website is now in operation on the intranet. It makes available voucher and challan wise information to every one and provides an innumerable variety of reports. It gives unprecedented control to each Mantralaya department over its budget allocations and brings about complete transparency in the working of the treasuries not to mention accuracy and speed in the compilation of accounts. A word of appreciation of the work done by the NIC team and the staff of the Directorate of Accounts & Treasuries on this pioneering task will not be out of place here”.
In the words of Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, XII Finance Commission “I was delighted to see the presentation on Koshwahini. This is a pioneering effort to improve the functioning of the treasuries. It is a good example of the application of IT to a very important area. The program shows great imagination and a good understanding of the details. I congratulate every one concerned on this bold initiative.”
Message of Hon. Professor D. K. Srivastava, member XII finance commission “We are very happy to find that Maharashtra has taken the lead in utilizing the grant allocated by the XI th Finance Commission in achieving not only a full computerization of its treasuries and sub-treasuries but also implementing a software for prompt updating and interlinkages of treasuries with apex financial control mechanisms. This is a system that other States may also find useful to adopt to their requirements. We look forward to further interaction with Department of Finance, Maharashtra Government regarding periodic evaluation of the practical success of the KOSHWAHINI. It’s proven success will help in achieving more effective financial management in Maharashtra and subsequently in other States also.” For further information, mail to punam@mah.nic.in