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Raipur in India adopts blockchain for transparent governance
Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has partnered with Airchains, a modular privacy zk-FHE multichain framework, to incorporate blockchain technology into its governance framework. This groundbreaking initiative aims to digitally record building permit certificates, work orders, and colony development permits, marking the first use of zero-knowledge fully homomorphic cryptography (zk-FHE) in governance. This move is seen as a significant step towards modernizing administrative processes and improving transparency.
Initial implementation and future expansion
The initiative will initially focus on issuing building permit certificates with Blockchain QR codes in all zones under RMC. The plan is to expand this technology to more departments for various certifications in the future. This integration is designed to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and increase the efficiency of administrative processes. By leveraging zk-FHE, RMC ensures data security and privacy, enabling verifiable calculations without compromising sensitive information.
Airchains’ sophisticated framework ensures the encryption and security of all sensitive certificate data throughout its lifecycle. Using zk rollups, the system efficiently processes and processes transactions, significantly improving productivity and reducing operational costs. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) ensure the verifiability of certificates without compromising data privacy, thus promoting trust and transparency in the issuance process.
Recent statistics and efficiency gains
In the last two years, from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024, RMC has approved over 8,300 building clearance certificates. Every year, the company registers 15 to 20 colony completion certificates and issues work orders generating revenue of over INR 1 crore from around 40 to 60 work orders annually. This high volume of approvals and orders highlights the potential impact of blockchain integration in improving efficiency and reducing bureaucratic delays.
Leadership Vision for Progressive Governance
Abhinash Mishra, IAS and Commissioner of RMC, expressed his excitement over this initiative. He highlighted Raipur’s commitment to progressive governance and said that the adoption of blockchain technology is a significant step forward in improving transparency and efficiency. Mishra highlighted that the partnership with Airchains, a leading blockchain solution provider, will help reduce ambiguity and corruption, ensuring a more accountable and effective governance system.
Airchains’ role in the transition
Airchains, known for its privacy-preserving frameworks and simple plug-and-play models, is facilitating the adoption of Web3 for large-scale use cases across multiple industries. The company’s innovative approach to incorporating zk-FHE provides a secure and transparent platform for RMC records management. Ankur Rakhi Sinha, Co-Founder and CEO of Airchains, commented on the partnership, expressing his excitement for working with RMC. He noted that their zk-FHE solution offers unmatched security and privacy, enabling a new era of transparent and efficient governance. Sinha emphasized that this initiative reflects Raipur’s innovative spirit and commitment to leveraging technology for the public good.
Wider implications and future prospects
RMC’s adoption of blockchain technology is a bold step towards modernizing governance and sets a precedent for other municipalities to follow. This initiative is expected to bring about significant improvements in the management of building permits, work orders, and colony development records, ultimately benefiting the residents of Raipur. The successful implementation of this technology could serve as a model for other cities seeking to improve their administrative efficiency and transparency through blockchain.
In conclusion, Raipur’s partnership with Airchains to incorporate blockchain technology into its governance framework marks a significant milestone. By improving transparency, reducing corruption, and improving administrative efficiency, this initiative promises to transform the governance landscape in Raipur and potentially inspire similar advancements in other municipalities.