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In the era of digital innovation, the integration of technology with grassroots governance has become a pivotal force in reshaping India’s Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Traditional Local Bodies (TLBs). Recent data showcases a substantial leap forward in the computerisation of these entities, reflecting a concerted effort to modernise and streamline their operations.
With 226,063 out of 269,073 GPs now computerised, the focus on tech infusion has been a joint venture between State governments and the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) scheme. This initiative, in operation from 2022 to 2026, has been pivotal in supplementing State efforts, particularly in the Northeast, by providing computers as per the annual action plans devised by States/Union Territories (UTs) and approved by the Central Empowered Committee.
Bolstering this digital transformation is the Bharat Net project, a phased Department of Telecommunications endeavour aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all GPs across the nation. Over 2.12 lakh GPs have already been equipped with Service Ready status under this project, marking significant progress. Furthermore, the project’s scope now encompasses all inhabited villages, with BSNL aiming to provide Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections to all GPs through Bharat Net by 2024-25.
The integration of technology platforms like eGramSwaraj (eGS) and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) has streamlined operations and financial tracking. More than 2.50 lakh GPs have uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) for execution on the eGS portal, while approximately 2.43 lakh Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have effectively utilised the eGS-PFMS portal for payments related to PRI works during 2023-24.
Efforts toward comprehensive planning have been emphasised, pushing for the inclusion of all resources available at the GP level. Although social audit responsibility falls under State jurisdiction, the Ministry’s guidelines and the Audit Online application under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project aim to ensure accountability in utilising Finance Commission Grants by PRIs.
In a bid to introduce transparency in procurement, e-GramSwaraj has been integrated with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), enabling GPs to procure goods and services through the platform. This integration facilitates local producers, artisans, and cooperatives to sell directly to Government entities, aligning with the “Vocal for Local” initiative.
Training sessions and registration drives have ensured the onboarding of over 72,000 primary users and 32,000 secondary users onto the e-GramSwaraj-GeM interface, marking a significant step toward harnessing technology for grassroots governance.
The collaborative efforts between State governments and centralised schemes underscore a broader vision: leveraging technology to empower India’s Gram Panchayats, fostering local development, and promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
India’s steadfast commitment to an all-encompassing digital revolution stands ready to reshape the nation’s fabric, particularly in marginalised regions, agriculture and the advancement of women. Anchored in a resolute drive to narrow the digital gap, the nation seeks to harness technology’s potential as a cornerstone for socioeconomic upliftment.
In line with this vision toward technological integration in rural development, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the significance of the NAMO Drone Didi scheme. The scheme, aimed at fostering women’s pivotal roles in local farming supply chains and enhancing rural prosperity, marks a paradigm shift in leveraging tech for socio-economic elevation.
To encourage spatial planning by India’s village councils (gram panchayats), the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has introduced Gram Manchitra, a geographic information system (GIS) application. The tool enables and aids gram panchayats in undertaking planning at the local level using geospatial technology.
The application serves as a unified geospatial platform to better visualise and monitor the various developmental projects to be carried out across different sectors. It functions as a decision support system to formulate Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP).
