Punjab Government has decided to put on fast track implementation of governance reforms and hopes to complete three-fourth of the task by year-end.

Reviewing the progress, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal took exception to reports that affidavits were still being demanded in various departments and universities from the general public despite the Punjab Government abolishing the practice.

He constituted a special cell under Additional Secretary, Reforms, to monitor the implementation of reforms.

Chief Secretary S C Agrawal informed the Deputy Chief Minister that the implementation of e-tendering in six major departments has resulted in average saving of 14 per cent, an official spokesman said.

He said that e-tendering has already been adopted in PWD, Irrigation, Comptroller of Stores, Industry, Health and Local Government Department besides Mandi Board and rest of the departments would follow suit within two months.

He said that a central government PSU was handling the total e-tendering project.

Badal asked the Chief Secretary to ensure implementation of online management of files in all departments by December 31.

Aimed at improving service delivery in the urban areas, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Urban Suvidha Centers should be set up for a population cluster of 5000 to provide 57 services like house tax, property tax, sales tax besides collection of water and sewerage bills.

The detailed project report for setting up 3000 e-grams was in final stage and Rural Development Department would soon float its tenders.