Filling up pages of forms, getting approvals, and running from door to door just to claim daily and travel allowance is bothersome to most civil servants. According to the Finance Ministry, fraudulent claims were also reported. Electronic Daily allowance and Travel System (eDATS) which was launched yesterday is expected to solve all these problems. eDATS is an online web-based travel authorisation and claim system where civil servants can apply and receive their claims without having to do any paperwork.
The system which is only applicable for in-country travel is expected to reduce time to process claims and in a transparent way.
“The use of paper and manual forms will be fully eliminated. It will be an online web-based system. So all the process required in terms of claiming the travel and daily allowance will be through the system. The turnaround time will be drastically reduced. The other important benefit we foresee is the implication of uniform rates and distance. For example, if you travel to Paro, some agencies use 54 km and some use 53 km. Now this kind of ambiguities will not be there,” said Tshering Dorji, the Director for the Department of Public Accounts under the Finance Ministry.
He also said that the system will help reduce fraudulent claims.
“In the past, there have been a few allegations and also in terms of audit observations. There were cases of double payments and table tours. In terms of those allegations, we expect that this system will help reduce because there is a proper check and control system,” he added.
The Finance Ministry also expects to reduce administrative burden through paperless procedures. It is also to support the government’s initiative of going digital. eDATS will come into effect starting July this year.
Tshering Dendup
