In a significant push towards digital governance and asset management, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Zilla Parishad (ZP) has taken the lead across Maharashtra by creating Unique Identification (UID) numbers for thousands of its public properties. Acting on directives from the state government, the local body has successfully generated UIDs for 4,030 assets so far, positioning itself at the top of the implementation chart.
State-Wide Mandate for Transparent Asset Management
Vasudeo Solanke, the Additional Chief Executive Officer of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ZP, explained the initiative on Monday. He stated that the state government's planning department has made it compulsory to assign UIDs to all government-owned properties. From now on, administrative approvals for any work related to these assets will not be granted without a valid UID, making the process a fundamental step in project execution.
Solanke revealed that the Zilla Parishad owns approximately 10,000 properties in total, meaning the work to tag all assets with UIDs is ongoing. The range of properties covered is vast and includes critical rural infrastructure.
What Assets Are Getting Digital IDs?
The UID project encompasses almost every public asset under the ZP's jurisdiction. The comprehensive list includes:
- 2,090 schools
- 2,651 anganwadis (rural child care centres)
- 1,947 cement check dams
- 1,885 rural roads
- 279 health sub-centres
- 123 veterinary clinics
- 613 percolation tanks
- 892 Kolhapuri type weirs
- 141 other district roads
- 248 pilgrimage sites
- 63 primary health centres
- 43 irrigation tanks
- Various office and administrative buildings
This initiative ensures that assets like roads, schools, health centres, and water conservation structures are systematically catalogued in a central digital database.
How the UID System Will Curb Malpractices
The creation of a UID is more than just assigning a number. According to Solanke, once an asset receives its UID, a detailed online database record is created. This record contains vital information such as:
- The date the project was sanctioned.
- Construction start and completion dates.
- Commissioning date.
- Detailed breakdown of funding sources.
This centralized digital ledger is expected to be a powerful tool against malpractices. By having every detail of an asset's lifecycle—from funding to completion—readily available, it increases transparency and accountability. Officials believe this system will prevent fraud, ensure proper maintenance, and streamline future administrative and development works related to these assets.
The proactive steps taken by the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Zilla Parishad set a benchmark for other districts in Maharashtra, showcasing how technology can be leveraged for efficient public resource management and governance.
