(a) the funds proposed to be allocated to all the panchayats in the country by the
Government for providing renewable hi-tech facility during the 12th Five Year Plan.
State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to provide alternate hi-tech power arrangements
to overcome inadequate power supply;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this direction?
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)
(a) to (c): The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has not made any separate allocation for
providing renewable hi-tech facilities during 12th Five Year Plan. However, under e-enablement
component of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), the States/UTs can avail of
Rs. 40,000 per Gram Panchayat provisioned for computers, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS),
printer etc. subject to eligibility conditions.
(d) The inadequate power supply in rural areas poses a challenge as many Panchayats are not
able to load/update data on the web based software Applications under e-Panchayat MMP on
regular basis. To overcome this, many Gram Panchayats are entering data in nearby Gram/Block
/Zilla Panchayat. In areas where the power supply is erratic or the Panchayat offices are not
electrified, the States have been advised by Ministry of Panchayati Raj to use Desktops with
UPS having 6-8 hours backup, laptops with extra batteries and also consider providing solar
photo-voltaic power packs by availing Government of India’s subsidy.