Guwahati, Oct 9: Assam Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal on Wednesday chaired a milestone review meeting that included various verticals under the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), Assam Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (AUWSSB), and the Technical Cell.
The meeting was notable for being conducted via the newly developed Unified Portal of DoHUA, marking a significant shift towards a fully web-based and paperless system for departmental reviews.
This development represents the first time the DoHUA has conducted its review process entirely online, highlighting Assam’s dedication to embracing digital transformation and improving efficiency in governance. By utilizing a streamlined, digital approach, the department aims to enhance transparency, decision-making, and overall administrative effectiveness in urban affairs.
The review meeting took place at the Minister’s office in Janata Bhawan, Dispur, with the participation of Commissioner & Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA), Kavitha Padmanabhan, along with senior officials from various verticals and the developers of the new Unified Portal.
During the meeting, Minister Ashok Singhal provided explicit directions to all vertical heads and portal developers to ensure real-time data uploads to the portal. He emphasized the necessity of granting field officers the ability to upload data, photographs, and progress status directly to the system, which would enhance transparency and accountability within the department’s operations.
Singhal stated, “From today onwards, all departmental reviews will be conducted on this unified portal,” signalling a decisive shift in how the department operates. This transition is anticipated to streamline operations, minimize paperwork, and improve the efficiency of decision-making processes throughout the department.
The successful implementation of this digital initiative underscores DoHUA’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology for better governance and enhanced service delivery to the people of Assam. By adopting these digital solutions, the department aims to improve its responsiveness and effectiveness in addressing urban development challenges.
