Question : e-Panchayat

(a) whether the Government has formulated e-panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) for implementation of e-governance in panchayats;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the budgetary allocation under the programme during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(c) the progress made in regard to the implementation of the programme alongwith number of panchayats which have not yet been computerised and connected through Internet and the response of the Government thereto;
(d) whether any survey or assessment has been made on the implementation of the programme if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure effective implementation of e-governance in panchayats ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Panchayat Raj is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project that seeks to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), making them more transparent, accountable and effective as organs of decentralized self-governing institutions.

(b) Under e-Panchayat MMP, a suite of Core Common Applications has been developed to address various aspects of Panchayats’ functioning including planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring, social audit and delivery of citizen services like issue of certificates, licences, etc. Together these applications constitute the Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES). The budgetary allocation for the project for 2016-17 is Rs. 22 crore. There is no State-wise allocation. Since e-Panchayat was dovetailed in the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashkatikaran Abhiyan scheme of the Ministry in 2012-13, no separate allocation was made for e-Panchayat in the last three years.

(c) The level of adoption of various PES Applications varies due to differentials in the preparedness of Panchayats for e-enablement. Besides, certain States like Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and West Bengal have also developed some of their own State-specific software as per requirements. To overcome constraints of internet connectivity, the BharatNet project is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunications for connecting all the Gram Panchayats in the country through Optical Fiber Cable and providing high speed broadband at Panchayat level.

(d) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology conducted a study on the ‘Impact of ICT Applications in Panchayats to create a Baseline for e-Services’. The study covered 19 States/Union Territories (UTs) during the year 2013. As per the findings of the baseline study, there is a significant improvement in the efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and transparency of PRIs after Information and Communications Technology (ICT) enablement of panchayats.

(e) The progress is reviewed periodically during field visits and meetings with the officials of the States. For effective implementation of the Project, workshops/trainings are organised to demonstrate the applications to the State Government functionaries. The Ministry also provides trained faculty to impart trainings on software applications. Furthermore, the States/UTs are encouraged to adopt the software applications and better performing States/UTs are awarded annual e-Puraskars.

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