Lok Sabha Question No. 3998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: E-Panchayat Infrastructure
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3998

ANSWERED ON 25.03.2025

## E-PANCHAYAT INFRASTRUCTURE

## †3998. SHRI DHARMENDRAYADAV: SHRI SHRIRANG APPACHANDU BARNE: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a) the present status of deployment of e-Panchayat infrastructure in various States, Statewise particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra;

(b) the major challenges in providing reliable internet connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in various States, State-wise particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra;

(c) the manner in which local technical support and maintenance is being ensured access to ePanchayat services to all citizens particularly in the remote areas of the country particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, State-wise;

(d) the measures being taken to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to ePanchayat services to all citizens particularly in the remote areas of the country particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, State-wise; and

(e) the details of the schemes for integration of e-Panchayat with the other Government digitalplatforms and services?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) &(e) Under the Digital India Programme, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) across all States and Union Territories (UTs) of the country. This initiative aims to revamp the functioning of Panchayats, making them more transparent, accountable, and effective. As part of this initiative, the Ministry has launched eGramSwaraj, an online planning and accounting application designed to simplify Panchayat activities such as planning, accounting, and budgeting. The Ministry has also integrated eGramSwaraj with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for Gram Panchayats (GPs) to make real time payments to vendors/service providers. Panchayats use the eGramSwaraj portal to prepare and upload their Annual Panchayat Development Plans. The progress made by States including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra under eGramSwaraj during the year 2024-25 is provided in Annexure-I .

Additionally, the Ministry has integrated eGramSwaraj with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to bring transparency to Panchayat procurement. This integration allows Panchayats to procure goods and services through GeM via the eGramSwaraj platform, promoting the 'Vocal for Local' initiative. Further, applications developed by the Ministry like Meri Panchayat has endeavored to bring transparency in Panchayat Governance by making information on planning, activities and progress of works in Panchayat accessible to public. Similarly, Panchayat NIRNAY is an online application aims at bringing transparency and better management in conduct of Gram Sabhas by Panchayats.

Further, an application of 'AuditOnline' has been developed for online audits of Panchayat accounts and their financial management. AuditOnline for transparent auditing of Central Finance Commission funds utilization for strengthen financial management of Panchayats launched in April 2020. For the audit year 2022-23, 2.58 lakh Audit Plans have been created and 2.57 lakh Audit Report have been generated by PRIs.

(b) To realize the vision of Digital India, the BharatNet project is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in a phased manner to ensure broadband connectivity across all Gram Panchayats in the country. As of now, out of the total 2.68 lakh Gram Panchayats/Traditional Local Bodies (TLBs), 2.18 lakh GPs/TLBs have been made service-ready to provide high-speed internet services under the project. To further enhance digital connectivity, the Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4th August 2023. This amendment focuses on upgrading the existing networks established under BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, while also creating a network to cover the remaining Gram Panchayats. State-wise details of GPs that are service-ready for broadband services are provided in Annexure-II .

Following challenges encountered in States while implementing BharatNet project including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra:

- 1) BharatNet is an major project aimed at connecting the remotest corners of the country. It encompasses challenging terrains such as hilly, rocky regions and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), making accessibility a significant hurdle.
- 2) The project involves a multitude of stakeholders, including the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), central/state agencies, and contractors, adding complexity to its implementation.
- 3) Development activities such as water pipe laying, road widening, gas pipeline installation, and construction projects have caused substantial damage to the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) infrastructure.
- 4) The availability of experienced executing agencies and resources is insufficient to undertake simultaneous work across the nation, posing a significant bottleneck.

- 5) Obtaining Right of Way (ROW) permissions from various agencies such as Defence, Forest Departments, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) leads to further delays.
- 6) State Implementing Agencies have faced challenges in the timely finalization of tenders, impacting the project's progress.
- 7) Disputes between State Implementing Agencies (SIA) and Project Implementing Agencies (PIA) add another layer of complexity, slowing down the project.

(c) &(d) The Ministry has implemented ServicePlus to enhance digital service delivery at the Panchayat level. This configurable platform enables the rapid rollout of electronic services. This platform facilitates over 3,606 services across 36 States/UTs, streamlining workflows, enhancing transparency, and ensuring efficiency. Further, the Ministry has also introduced the Model Panchayat Citizens' Charter, aligning local actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This framework guides Panchayats in delivering services in a time-bound manner while addressing citizens' grievances effectively. The campaign "Meri Panchayat, Mera Adhikaar -Jan Sevaayein Hamaare Dwaar," conducted in 2021, reinforced these efforts. So far, 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats have uploaded their Citizens' Charters, offering 954 services.

The Ministry is actively engaging with states to support the adoption of the eGramSwaraj application through both virtual and physical training initiatives. Regular review meetings, workshops, hand-holding sessions, video conferences, and visits by senior officials to the states are conducted to assess and enhance progress. A National Project Management Unit (NPMU) plays a central role in coordinating and facilitating the implementation of this project.

All states are putting in efforts to implement the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) within the scope of their available resources. However, the varying levels of preparedness among Panchayats across the country have resulted in states being at different stages of application implementation.

***

Annexure-I

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) & (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3998 answered on 25.03.2025 regarding 'E-Panchayat Infrastructure'.

## State wise adoption of eGramSwaraj at Panchayat level during FY 2024-25

|   S.No | State Name        |   Total Number of Village Panchayats& Equivalent |   Village Panchayat onboard |   Village Panchayats& Equivalent With Online Payment |   Total Number of Block Panchayats& Equivalent |   Block Panchayat onboard |   Block Panchayats With Online Payment |   Total Number of Zila Panchayats& Equivalent |   Zila Panchayat onboard |   Zila Panchayats With Online Payment |
|--------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|      1 | ANDHRA PRADESH    |                                            13328 |                       13296 |                                                12970 |                                            660 |                       660 |                                    642 |                                            13 |                       13 |                                    13 |
|      2 | ARUNACHAL PRADESH |                                             2108 |                        2106 |                                                  222 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                            27 |                       25 |                                     8 |
|      3 | ASSAM             |                                             2662 |                        2197 |                                                 2176 |                                            191 |                       191 |                                    189 |                                            30 |                       29 |                                    27 |
|      4 | BIHAR             |                                             8054 |                        8054 |                                                 8045 |                                            534 |                       534 |                                    530 |                                            38 |                       38 |                                    38 |
|      5 | CHHATTISGARH      |                                            11596 |                       11594 |                                                11516 |                                            146 |                       146 |                                    146 |                                            27 |                       27 |                                    27 |
|      6 | GOA               |                                              191 |                         190 |                                                   93 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             2 |                        2 |                                     2 |
|      7 | GUJARAT           |                                            14656 |                       14599 |                                                13890 |                                            248 |                       248 |                                    248 |                                            33 |                       33 |                                    33 |
|      8 | HARYANA           |                                             6226 |                        6222 |                                                 5914 |                                            143 |                       143 |                                    134 |                                            22 |                       22 |                                    22 |
|      9 | HIMACHAL PRADESH  |                                             3615 |                        3614 |                                                 3540 |                                             81 |                        81 |                                     81 |                                            12 |                       12 |                                    12 |
|     10 | JHARKHAND         |                                             4345 |                        4345 |                                                 4329 |                                            264 |                       264 |                                    262 |                                            24 |                       24 |                                    24 |
|     11 | KARNATAKA         |                                             5954 |                        5954 |                                                 5937 |                                            238 |                       232 |                                    126 |                                            31 |                       31 |                                    28 |
|     12 | KERALA            |                                              941 |                         941 |                                                  941 |                                            152 |                       152 |                                    152 |                                            14 |                       14 |                                    14 |
|     13 | MADHYA            |                                            23011 |                       23009 |                                                22980 |                                            313 |                       313 |                                    310 |                                            52 |                       52 |                                    52 |

| S.No   | State Name    | Total Number of Village Panchayats& Equivalent   | Village Panchayat onboard   | Village Panchayats& Equivalent With Online Payment   | Total Number of Block Panchayats& Equivalent   | Block Panchayat onboard   | Block Panchayats With Online Payment   | Total Number of Zila Panchayats& Equivalent   | Zila Panchayat onboard   | Zila Panchayats With Online Payment   |
|--------|---------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|        | PRADESH       |                                                  |                             |                                                      |                                                |                           |                                        |                                               |                          |                                       |
| 14     | MAHARASHTRA   | 27917                                            | 27894                       | 26737                                                | 351                                            | 351                       | 307                                    | 34                                            | 34                       | 34                                    |
| 15     | MANIPUR       | 3180                                             | 161                         | 123                                                  | 0                                              | 0                         | 0                                      | 12                                            | 6                        | 4                                     |
| 16     | MEGHALAYA     | 6817                                             | 0                           | 0                                                    | 2241                                           | 0                         | 0                                      | 3                                             | 3                        | 0                                     |
| 17     | MIZORAM       | 842                                              | 842                         | 832                                                  | 0                                              | 0                         | 0                                      | 0                                             | 0                        | 0                                     |
| 18     | NAGALAND      | 1289                                             | 186                         | 0                                                    | 0                                              | 0                         | 0                                      | 0                                             | 0                        | 0                                     |
| 19     | ODISHA        | 6794                                             | 6794                        | 6793                                                 | 314                                            | 314                       | 314                                    | 30                                            | 30                       | 30                                    |
| 20     | PUNJAB        | 13237                                            | 13222                       | 9775                                                 | 152                                            | 151                       | 114                                    | 22                                            | 22                       | 19                                    |
| 21     | RAJASTHAN     | 11211                                            | 11207                       | 10837                                                | 361                                            | 353                       | 351                                    | 33                                            | 33                       | 33                                    |
| 22     | SIKKIM        | 199                                              | 199                         | 195                                                  | 0                                              | 0                         | 0                                      | 6                                             | 6                        | 6                                     |
| 23     | TAMILNADU     | 12525                                            | 12525                       | 12519                                                | 388                                            | 388                       | 388                                    | 36                                            | 36                       | 36                                    |
| 24     | TELANGANA     | 12991                                            | 12768                       | 12636                                                | 572                                            | 540                       | 508                                    | 32                                            | 32                       | 32                                    |
| 25     | TRIPURA       | 1194                                             | 1185                        | 1174                                                 | 75                                             | 75                        | 75                                     | 9                                             | 9                        | 9                                     |
| 26     | UTTARAKHAND   | 7795                                             | 7794                        | 7743                                                 | 95                                             | 95                        | 95                                     | 13                                            | 13                       | 13                                    |
| 27     | UTTAR PRADESH | 57691                                            | 57691                       | 57609                                                | 826                                            | 826                       | 818                                    | 75                                            | 75                       | 75                                    |
| 28     | WEST BENGAL   | 3339                                             | 3339                        | 3338                                                 | 345                                            | 345                       | 345                                    | 22                                            | 21                       | 21                                    |
| Total  | Total         | 263708                                           | 251928                      | 242864                                               | 8690                                           | 6402                      | 6135                                   | 652                                           | 642                      | 612                                   |

Annexure-II Annexure referred to in reply to part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3998

## answered on 25.03.2025 regarding 'E-Panchayat Infrastructure'.

## State wise details service ready points for providing Broadband connections.

| S.No.   | States/Uts                                   |   Total no. of GPs |   No. of Service Ready Points* |
|---------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1       | ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS                  |                 70 |                             81 |
| 2       | ANDHRAPRADESH                                |              13327 |                          12972 |
| 3       | ARUNACHALPRADESH                             |               2108 |                           1145 |
| 4       | ASSAM                                        |               2665 |                           1634 |
| 5       | BIHAR                                        |               8054 |                           8860 |
| 6       | CHHATTISGARH                                 |              11623 |                           9759 |
| 7       | GOA                                          |                191 |                              0 |
| 8       | GUJARAT                                      |              14674 |                          14563 |
| 9       | HARYANA                                      |               6225 |                           6204 |
| 10      | HIMACHALPRADESH                              |               3615 |                            416 |
| 11      | JAMMUANDKASHMIR                              |               4291 |                           1115 |
| 12      | JHARKHAND                                    |               4345 |                           4649 |
| 13      | KARNATAKA                                    |               5948 |                           6251 |
| 14      | KERALA                                       |                941 |                           1130 |
| 15      | LADAKH                                       |                193 |                            193 |
| 16      | LAKSHADWEEP                                  |                 10 |                              9 |
| 17      | MADHYAPRADESH                                |              23011 |                          18106 |
| 18      | MAHARASHTRA                                  |              27952 |                          24778 |
| 19      | MANIPUR                                      |               3812 |                           1485 |
| 20      | MEGHALAYA                                    |               6838 |                            697 |
| 21      | MIZORAM                                      |                843 |                            539 |
| 22      | NAGALAND                                     |               1315 |                            236 |
| 23      | ODISHA                                       |               6794 |                           7099 |
| 24      | PUDUCHERRY                                   |                108 |                            101 |
| 25      | PUNJAB                                       |              13236 |                          12807 |
| 26      | RAJASTHAN                                    |              11193 |                           8997 |
| 27      | SIKKIM                                       |                199 |                             54 |
| 28      | TAMILNADU                                    |              12525 |                          10298 |
| 29      | TELANGANA                                    |              12860 |                          10926 |
|         | THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU |                 42 |                             41 |
| 30 31   | TRIPURA                                      |               1194 |                            772 |
| 32      | UTTARPRADESH                                 |              57691 |                          47451 |
| 33      | UTTARAKHAND                                  |               7788 |                           2021 |

| S.No.   | States/Uts   |   Total no. of GPs |   No. of Service Ready Points* |
|---------|--------------|--------------------|--------------------------------|
| 34      | WESTBENGAL   |               3339 |                           2958 |
|         | Total        |             269020 |                         218347 |