Question : PANCHAYAT MISSION

(a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project with a view to make all panchayats capable of e-Governance;

(b) if so, the details along with the outcome thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the number of panchayats which have not updated their planning, accounts and other details with a view to make themselves accountable and transparent; and

(e) the action taken by the independent agency hired for conducting audit against the other concerned agencies ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

(a): Yes Madam. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) regularly reviews the progress of e- Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with State/Union Territory Governments through meetings, workshops and video conference sessions.

(b), (c) & (d): MoPR is promoting e-Governance in Panchayats through implementation of e- Panchayat MMP. A suite of Core Common Software Applications has been developed to address various aspects of Panchayats fun- ctioning including planning, budgeting, imple- mentation, accounting, monitoring, social audit and delivery of citizen services like issue of certifi- cates, licences etc. under e-Panchayat MMP. In 2013-14, more than 1.6 lakh Panchayats entered details of their receipt/expenditure vouchers online in PRIASoft, an Accounting Application and more than 64,000 Panchayats entered their Annual Action Plans in PlanPlus, a Planning Application. Due to differentials in the level of preparedness for e-enablement at the Panchayat level, the pace of adoption of these Applications has varied across States/Union Territories. Besides, some States also have their own State-specific Software Applications for the same purpose.

(e): No agency has been hired by MoPR for conducting audit at Panchayat level.