With the UPA government under attack on the issue of corruption, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday batted for an increased use of IT to bring transparency and accountability in the system.

Launching a web-based planning and monitoring information system and financial accounting monitoring system of 'Saakshar Bharat Programme' in the Capital, Sibal said such a system is the "only way" forward to ensure accountability.

"If India is to get rid of some of the issues worrying us for last couple of months, we must reduce the element of discretion and the possibility of misusing the discretion. The only way to do this is to ensure flow of fund electronically," he said.

The minister said information generated by the portal will bring about the kind of accountability that "we are talking about and these are the kind of portals we must build in all public delivery systems".

In this context, he said the Ministry of Information Technology is going to soon introduce the public service delivery bill and it will go to the cabinet very soon.

Saakshar Bharat, launched in 2009, aims to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond. The Centre contributes 75 per cent budget.

Auxiliary target of the mission is to cover 1.5 million adults under basic education programme and equal number under vocational (skill development) programme. The web portal has been launched to facilitate smooth operation and bring efficiency in implementing the programme.

The portal provides one-click-information about all the prospective and enrolled learners including their name, sex, social profile, pace of learning as well as assessment and certification.