- Within the government, a massive software deployment is going on, under the name ``Modernisation of Government Programme'', or MGP. This is entirely M$ based, and govt. servants are provided a 7 working day training on using such exotic programmes like MS Word, MS Excel, etc. The training includes how to type Malayalam.
Largely true. But the MGP also has some Free Software running. Arun should know more about it.
The MGP's Programme Perfomance Monitoring System is One of the major Free software project for Govt of Kerala. It is a web based PHP/MysQL application Developed by Keltron. But sadly they are still using M$ on user end.
As a part recently published study I did for SPACE on "Free software usge in Public Enterprises", I covered the Details abt this project. I am quoting the respected part here
<snip>
Project Title: Program Performance monitoring system (PPMS)
Synopsis:
Program Performance monitoring system (PPMS) is a system developed Keltron (Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation) for tracking the performance of various departments as part of the Modernising Governance Program initiated by Government of Kerala.
Program Performance monitoring system (PPMS) Client : MGP Department, Govt. of Kerala Developed by: Keltron Team Size: 5 people Development Time: 28 months (ongoing) Technologies :PHP, MySQL, Apache, GNU/Linux User base: PPMS1: 17 Departments, 93 Initiatives PPMS2: 2584 Institutions, Statewide ebandham: statewide Sevanamudra: 42 institutions, statewide
Project Details:
Program Performance Monitoring System (PPMS) is a large project that addresses all sectors of governance. The system is developed by Keltron and built with popular PHP/MySQL solution.
PPMS contain 4 major projects. The first project PPMS1 is a performance monitoring system for 17 government departments. It covers a total of 93 initiatives of these departments, 50 of them in the first phase. The system uses result base management methods to measure performance based on impacts, outputs, outcomes & activities.
PPMS2 is a set of service delivery projects. It addresses performance monitoring of 2584 institutions statewide like schools and community health centers. It mainly deals with fund flow management, administrative payment orders etc.
The Third project is a human resource module named e-bandham. It monitors attendance, leave, travel allowances etc of program support executives
The fourth project is Sevanamudra, Quality Improvement Program & Performance Certification Mechanism for government institutions.
In the first stage, it covers 42 institutions.
"All these projects need statewide implementation. So it is a must that we avoid softwares that need heavy licensing costs in order to reduce the expenses. Another issue is cross platform compatibility. PHP/MySQL are very popular packages meeting all requirements that are very easy to study and code We also used many PHP packages like FPDF (free PDF), which allows one to generate reports in PDF formats without the use of Proprietary Softwares , JPGraph, a Graph creating library in PHP for generating graphs etc." says Uma, a main developer of this project.
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How will the community counter this MGP thing?
We should try to influence the government. Since the programme is already in an advanced stage, it may not be easy. But we have some hope since the present CM supports FS.
The study we did shows 95% of successfull E-gov projects in Kerala are on Free software. It may be a good lobbying tool to make all computerisation projects (including user end) to free software.
~ regards
Anivar Aravind http://movingrepublic.org