Ambuj Sharma, Additional Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, spoke to Express Computer about how the PSU sector is using innovative technologies as stepping stone for their further development.
What is your view of the Information Technology solutions that are being used by leading Public Sector organisations like BHEL?
The role of Information Technology and eGovernance in public sector is quite important, particularly for organisations like BHEL, which is under the administrative control of this department. BHEL is a Maharatna Company, it is India? largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise in the energy-related/infrastructure sector. The company manufactures over 180 products in 30 major product groups. It caters to core sectors like power generation and transmission, transportation, telecommunication, renewable energy, etc. When you have such gigantic scale of operations, you simply can? do without Information Technology systems for streamlining the tasks. The efficiency and transparency that we see in the operations of BHEL is also because the company has gone for the best possible Information Technology systems.
What steps are being taken by the Department of Heavy Industry to strengthen the PSUs that come under its administrative control?
Strengthening of the public sector requires multifaceted action points. The first thing we need to do is to strengthen them financially. The problem is that many of our PSUs are not adequately funded. When the PSU is in a revival mode, the government is prepared to offer adequate budgetary support. Technology is also one of the key issues. At times the technology being used is simply outdated. The systems need to be modernised in such cases. All the IT and infrastructure related issues are managed by the PSUs themselves. They bring in new technologies after conducting internal evaluation of their operational needs. So, a lot of Capex infusion and technology infusion is required in the PSUs.
Recently, the global market research firm Zinnov came up with a report that the Indian Public Sector Undertakings had spent $8.5 billion in FY12 on IT, more than 2% of their total revenues. What are your views on this?
All PSUs are in favour of having best possible Information Technology systems. The procurement in PSUs is done through a system of strict guidelines, and there is lot of scope for post action checks and balances. This process is designed to ensure that the technology that is being procured is the most suitable one. However, we also need to keep in mind that it is difficult for anyone to keep pace with technology. Better systems can come into the market at any point of time and turn the older systems obsolete. But despite these challenges, the PSUs are doing quite well, when it comes to IT implementation. If you look at BHEL, the company is filing almost one patent a day. They invest close of 2.5% of their turnover on R&D. Such achievements would not be possible without the use of latest Information Technology systems.
Tell us about the Information Technology systems that are being implemented within the Department of Heavy Industry?
The Department of Heavy Industry is making substantial use of Information Technology. The payroll system is completely digitised. We use IT systems for managing routine tasks like inventory control, storage, leave sanction, record maintenance, and much else. As of now the file movement is manual, but the eOffice system is being implemented. Once the implementation of eOffice is completed there will not be any file movement in hard copy.
The Information Technology projects may not be enough to ensure a more efficient working environment, unless there is capacity building within the department. Do you think that there is adequate level of capacity building happening in the department?
Of course, we have many trained people here to manage the IT systems. We also have a consultant. Then there is a service provider, and there is NIC for backup. So adequate technical support is being extended.
