Question : e-Governance for Panchayats

(a) the current status of the implementation of e-Governance in Panchayats and the time frame for the same;
(b) whether the Union Government has given any financial assistance to the State Governments in this regard;
(c) if so, the details of such financial assistance given during the last three years and the current year and the funds utilized by the State Governments out of it, State/UT-wise; and
(d) whether the work of laying of optical fibre to network Panchayats has been started and if so, the details thereof and the time frame for completion of this work?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

(a) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing e-Panchayat, a Mission Mode Project, under Digital India Programme that seeks to completely transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions, making them more transparent, accountable and effective as last mile cutting edge units of decentralized local self-governments. Under e-Panchayat, a suite of Core Common Software 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. Lack of internet connectivity, power supply, manpower and capacity continue to pose hindrances in the proper implementation of e-Governance activities. 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 and within the States/UTs. Besides, several States have also developed their own State-specific applications to address various areas of Panchayat functioning. It is an ongoing activity.
(b) & (c) Under the erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan Scheme of the Ministry, funds were sanctioned to the States/UTs for e-enablement of the Panchayats. The details of amounts sanctioned to States/UTs during the last three years are at Annexe. Furthermore, upto 10% of the allocation to the Gram Panchayats (GPs) under the 14th Finance Commission is allowed for meeting the cost of technical and administrative support towards Operation and Maintenance and capital expenditure including for e-enablement.
(d) Yes, Madam. BharatNet is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunications to connect all GPs (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) by December 2018.
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