MYSURU: An innovative use of artificial intelligence by a techie-turned-IAS officer is quietly changing the way rural development works are monitored in the district.Mysuru zilla zanchayat CEO S Ukesh Kumar, who previously worked as an engineer with a leading technology company before joining the civil services, has created an AI-powered performance management system (PMS) to help officials track development projects more effectively and speed up their execution.The platform, called Shreshthate, meaning excellence, has delivered impressive results.Within three months of its rollout, Mysuru moved from 15th position to become Karnataka’s best-performing district in zilla panchayat (ZP) administration in 15+ parameters.What makes the initiative stand out is that Kumar built the application himself in just 15 days. He spent nearly Rs 40,000 from his own salary to develop the platform before testing it through a two-month pilot project.Following its success, the application has now been officially introduced across the district.The mobile-based system gathers real-time information from all 255 gram panchayats and 9 taluk panchayats, giving district officials a live picture of how govt programmes are progressing.It monitors works under major schemes, including Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat, VB Gram, lake rejuvenation, agriculture, horticulture, education and social forestry.It also keeps track of Sakala services, staff attendance, field inspections, salary payments, tax collection, revenue generation and grievance redressal.
Interactive dashboards
Interactive dashboards and performance indicators help identify gram panchayats and taluks that are falling behind, allowing officials to intervene quickly wherever required.At the same time, the best-performing local bodies are recognised by the CEO, encouraging healthy competition and better service delivery.Speaking to TOI, Kumar said the aim was to ensure that development works reach completion without unnecessary delays by relying on accurate, real-time information from the field.“Top performing three taluks are honoured with District Excellence Awards while top 5 gram panchayats are honoured with District Excellence Awards. In every taluk, three gram panchayats are honoured with Taluka Level Performer Awards,” he said.“The system helps us identify priorities based on what is actually happening on the ground. It has been designed to encourage officials to improve their own performance,” he said, adding that the platform has strengthened transparency, accountability and the pace of rural governance.
