Question : e-Panchayat Facility

(a) whether the Government is implementing e-panchayat facility in the country for improvement in functioning of Panchayats and if so, the present status of progress made in regard to e-panchayats in the country;

(b) the number of Panchayats digitalized and the number of Panchayats yet to be digitalized in the country, particularly in the State of Maharashtra; and

(c) the time limit set for digitalization of all Panchayats in the country?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Under e-Panchayat MMP, Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched eGramSwaraj, a simplified work-based accounting application to addresses various aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting and online payments through eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for expenses incurred. As on 2 February 2022, 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat (GP), 5390 Block Panchayat and 481 Zilla Panchayats have prepared and uploaded their Development Plans for 2021-22on eGramSwaraj application. Further, 2.38 lakh GPs have adopted eGramSwaraj for the purpose of accounting in the current year 2021-22 out of which 2.19 lakh GPs have taken necessary steps for carrying out payments through Public Finance Management System (PFMS). Also, 1.81 lakh GPs have made online payments. State-wise breakup is given at Annexure.

(b) Panchayats need to use internet services for various activities. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner by Department of Telecommunications to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats and equivalent in the country. As on 17.01.2022, total 1,70,136 GPs have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the country. The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been extended to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. In Maharashtra, 21,785 GPs have been made Service Ready against 28,237 GPs planned, under the BharatNet project.

(c) The targeted date for the completion of the BharatNet project to provide service-ready broadband connection to all the Gram Panchayats and traditional local bodies in the country is August 2023.


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