K-SMART; AN E-GOVERNANCE TOOL FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY – CASE STUDY OF AN URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN KERALA

Democratic decentralisation in Kerala has attained international attention through
its unique approaches of devolution of power to the local governments. Urban local
governments in Kerala has empowered with Finance, Functionaries and Functions
(3Fs). People Planning Campaign (PPC) has been instrumental in multiplying the job
burden of Municipalities and Corporations. However, the sufficient devolution of staffs
has not taken place in Urban Local Governments (ULGs) of Kerala in accordance with
the jobs assigned to them. Hence E-governance has been identified as a tool for improving
service efficiency of ULGs and to address the shortage of sufficient staff. K-SMART is
a system for digitalising all services delivered through ULGs in Kerala. This has been
implemented in January 2024. This study is attempted to understand the implications
of K-SMART implementation in ULBs of Kerala. This study conducted through a case
study in Wadakkanchery Municipality of Thrissur district lying in central Kerala. Study
has attempted to understand the advantages and challenges of implementing K-SMART
in the contest of a municipality in the state. This study would help to improve the
administrative system of ULGs based on the issues and challenges raised from the
field.