Lok Sabha Question No. 662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Smart Panchayat Innovation Initiative
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Ganesh Singh, Pradeep Kumar Singh, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, Sanjay Bhatia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 662

ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## Smart Panchayat Innovation Initiative

## 662. SHRI GANESH SINGH SHRI ORADEEP KUMAR SINGH DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI SHRI SANJAY BHATIA

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

- (a)  the details of the smart panchayat innovation initiative being showcased in the Vibrant Gujrat Summit in 2024;

(b)  the details of impact of the Gram Manchitra Application and the manner in which it is transforming the governance at panchayat level;

(c)  whether the Government is taking any other steps to improve the use of technological advancements at the panchayat levels; and

(d)  if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

- (a) The Vibrant Gujarat Trade Show held from 9th to 13th January 2024 highlighted a comprehensive array of Smart Panchayat initiatives aimed at transforming rural areas into technologically empowered and socially inclusive communities. These initiatives covered various aspects such as smart infrastructure, advanced healthcare, digital connectivity, energy sustainability, smart services, and smart community development. For instance, the emphasis on Smart Panchayat Bhawans provided essential citizen services and support for eGovernance applications, while initiatives like telemedicine ecosystems and modernized schools underscored the importance of healthcare and education in rural development. Additionally, the focus on digital connectivity through high-speed internet access and energy sustainability measures like solar power adoption demonstrated a commitment to bridging the rural-urban divide and promoting environmental conservation.
- (b) In order to encourage the Spatial Planning by the Gram Panchayat, Ministry of Panchayati Raj had launched the Geographic Information System (GIS) application 'Gram Manchitra' (https://grammanchitra.gov.in). This application facilitates and supports Gram Panchayats to perform planning at Gram Panchayat level using geo-spatial technology. It provides a single/ unified Geo Spatial platform to better visualize the various developmental works to be taken up across the different sectors and provide a decision support system for Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). These initiatives of the Ministry makes it easier for rural population to access information about their villages and to participate in the decision-making process, these initiatives are helping to make Gram Panchayats more

accountable and responsive to the needs of their citizens.

(c)& (d) Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to making Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), more transparent, accountable, and effective as local self-governments. Building on the achievements in the past, the Ministry launched eGramSwaraj, a work-based comprehensive application for PRIs under the e-Panchayat MMP on 24th April 2020. This application encompasses all aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management etc., on a single digital platform including online payments. So far, 2.52 lakh GPs have prepared and uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2023-24. Further, 2.41 lakh Gram Panchayats have completed online transactions for 15th Finance Commission grants for 2023-24. State wise adoption of eGramSwaraj for 15 th Finance Commission funds is given at Annexure-I .

Also, for strengthening the transparency and accountability at grassroots level; the Ministry has rolled out an application - AuditOnline under e-panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP). It allows for online audit of Panchayat accounts and records detailed information about internal and external audit. For audit year 2021-22, 2.49 lakh Audit Plans have been created and 2.42 lakh Audit Report have been generated. Similarly, for audit year 2022-23, 2.02 lakh Audit Plans have been created and audit reports have been generated for 92,896 Gram Panchayats.

For attaining the vision of Digital India, BharatNet project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a phased manner to create network to connect all the GPs by broadband in the country. So far, 2,14,300 GPs have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the country. The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. The State/UT-wise details of Service Ready Gram panchayats is given at Annexure-II .

Further, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has prepared a Model Panchayat Citizens Charter/ framework for delivery of the services across the 29 sectors, aligning actions with localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the Panchayats to adopt & customize. The aim is to provide services to the people in a time bound manner, redressing their grievances and improving their lives. The 'Meri Panchayat, MeraAdhikaar- Jan Sevaayein Hamaare Dwaar' campaign was rolled out from 01st July to 30th September, 2021. The campaign had emerged as an effective strategy for ensuring the Gram Panchayats have a Citizen Charter approved by the respective Gram Sabhas in place, cataloguing the different categories of services rendered to the citizen by the Panchayat and the time limit for such service.

As on date, over 2.32 Lakh Gram Panchayats across 31 States/ UTs have conducted Gram Sabha and 2.15 Lakh Gram Panchayats have now finalized their Citizen Charters.

## Annexure-I

## Adoption of eGramSwaraj for XV FC at Panchayat level during FY 2023-24

|   S . N o | State Name        |   Total Num ber of Villa ge Panc hayat s& Equi valen t |   Villa ge Panc hayat onbo ard |   Villa ge Panc hayat s& Equi valen t with Onli ne Pay ment |   Total Num ber of Bloc k Panc hayat s |   Bloc k Panc hayat onbo ard |   Bloc k Panc hayat s with Onli ne Pay ment |   Total Num ber of Zila Panc hayat s |   Zila Panc hayat onbo ard |   Zila Panc hayat s with Onli ne Pay ment |
|-----------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------|
|         1 | ANDHRA PRADESH    |                                                  13325 |                          13278 |                                                       13059 |                                    660 |                          660 |                                         650 |                                   13 |                         13 |                                        13 |
|         2 | ARUNACHAL PRADESH |                                                   2108 |                           2099 |                                                        1400 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                   25 |                         25 |                                        22 |
|         3 | ASSAM             |                                                   2606 |                           2163 |                                                        2153 |                                    191 |                          191 |                                         191 |                                   30 |                         27 |                                        27 |
|         4 | BIHAR             |                                                   8176 |                           8175 |                                                        8011 |                                    534 |                          534 |                                         527 |                                   38 |                         38 |                                        38 |
|         5 | CHHATTISGA RH     |                                                  11655 |                          11654 |                                                       11032 |                                    146 |                          146 |                                         145 |                                   27 |                         27 |                                        27 |
|         6 | GOA               |                                                    191 |                            187 |                                                          71 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                    2 |                          2 |                                         2 |
|         7 | GUJARAT           |                                                  14627 |                          14528 |                                                       13516 |                                    248 |                          248 |                                         248 |                                   33 |                         33 |                                        33 |
|         8 | HARYANA           |                                                   6226 |                           6207 |                                                        5463 |                                    143 |                          143 |                                         119 |                                   22 |                         22 |                                        22 |
|         9 | HIMACHAL PRADESH  |                                                   3615 |                           3612 |                                                        3514 |                                     81 |                           81 |                                          80 |                                   12 |                         12 |                                        12 |
|        10 | JHARKHAND         |                                                   4345 |                           4345 |                                                        4340 |                                    264 |                          264 |                                         263 |                                   24 |                         24 |                                        24 |
|        11 | KARNATAKA         |                                                   5955 |                           5955 |                                                        5912 |                                    233 |                          232 |                                         177 |                                   31 |                         31 |                                        28 |
|        12 | KERALA            |                                                    941 |                            941 |                                                         910 |                                    152 |                          152 |                                         139 |                                   14 |                         14 |                                        14 |
|        13 | MADHYA PRADESH    |                                                  23032 |                          23004 |                                                       22153 |                                    313 |                          313 |                                         306 |                                   52 |                         52 |                                        51 |
|        14 | MAHARASHT RA      |                                                  27667 |                          27579 |                                                       25389 |                                    351 |                          351 |                                         342 |                                   34 |                         34 |                                        34 |
|        15 | MANIPUR           |                                                   3812 |                            161 |                                                           0 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                   12 |                          6 |                                         3 |
|        16 | MEGHALAYA         |                                                   6760 |                              0 |                                                           0 |                                   2240 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                    3 |                          3 |                                         0 |
|        17 | MIZORAM           |                                                    834 |                            834 |                                                         413 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                    0 |                          0 |                                         0 |
|        18 | NAGALAND          |                                                   1293 |                            167 |                                                           0 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                    0 |                          0 |                                         0 |
|        19 | ODISHA            |                                                   6798 |                           6798 |                                                        6776 |                                    314 |                          314 |                                         314 |                                   30 |                         30 |                                        30 |
|        20 | PUNJAB            |                                                  13241 |                          13203 |                                                       11400 |                                    152 |                          151 |                                         135 |                                   22 |                         22 |                                        20 |
|        21 | RAJASTHAN         |                                                  11255 |                          11247 |                                                       10927 |                                    362 |                          352 |                                         351 |                                   33 |                         33 |                                        33 |
|        22 | SIKKIM            |                                                    199 |                            186 |                                                         178 |                                      0 |                            0 |                                           0 |                                    6 |                          4 |                                         4 |
|        23 | TAMILNADU         |                                                  12525 |                          12524 |                                                       12405 |                                    388 |                          388 |                                         386 |                                   36 |                         36 |                                        36 |
|        24 | TELANGANA         |                                                  12769 |                          12768 |                                                       12755 |                                    540 |                          540 |                                         464 |                                   32 |                         32 |                                        32 |

| 25    | TRIPURA       |   1178 |   1178 |   1175 |   75 |   75 |   75 |   9 |   9 |   9 |
|-------|---------------|--------|--------|--------|------|------|------|-----|-----|-----|
| 26    | UTTARAKHA ND  |   7794 |   7793 |   7746 |   95 |   95 |   94 |  13 |  13 |  13 |
| 27    | UTTAR PRADESH |  57754 |  57752 |  57241 |  826 |  826 |  806 |  75 |  75 |  75 |
| 28    | WEST BENGAL   |   3339 |   3228 |   3225 |  345 |  336 |  336 |  22 |  21 |  21 |
| Total | Total         | 264020 | 251566 | 241164 | 8653 | 6392 | 6148 | 650 | 638 | 623 |

## Annexure-II

## State/UT-wise details of Service Ready Gram panchayats

|   Sr.No | State Name                  |   Total GPs/ TLBs |   Service Ready GPs/TLBs |   Operational GPs/TLBs |
|---------|-----------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|------------------------|
|       1 | ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS |                70 |                       81 |                     70 |
|       2 | ANDHRA PRADESH              |             13325 |                    12882 |                    539 |
|       3 | ARUNACHAL PRADESH           |              2108 |                     1081 |                    133 |
|       4 | ASSAM                       |              2197 |                     1640 |                    531 |
|       5 | BIHAR                       |              8054 |                     8860 |                   3390 |
|       6 | CHHATTISGAR H               |             11654 |                     9759 |                   2299 |
|       7 | GOA                         |               191 |                        0 |                      0 |
|       8 | GUJARAT                     |             14621 |                    14551 |                  11490 |
|       9 | HARYANA                     |              6225 |                     6204 |                   1430 |
|      10 | HIMACHAL PRADESH            |              3615 |                      415 |                    263 |
|      11 | JAMMU AND KASHMIR           |              4291 |                     1113 |                    440 |
|      12 | JHARKHAND                   |              4345 |                     4638 |                   2175 |
|      13 | KARNATAKA                   |              5953 |                     6251 |                   3592 |
|      14 | KERALA                      |               941 |                     1130 |                    971 |
|      15 | LADAKH                      |               193 |                      193 |                     38 |
|      16 | LAKSHADWEE P                |                10 |                        9 |                      4 |
|      17 | MADHYA PRADESH              |             23011 |                    18102 |                   2818 |
|      18 | MAHARASHTR A                |             27906 |                    24455 |                   3424 |
|      19 | MANIPUR                     |              3651 |                     1479 |                     23 |
|      20 | MEGHALAYA                   |              9058 |                      692 |                     27 |
|      21 | MIZORAM                     |               834 |                      495 |                     46 |
|      22 | NAGALAND                    |              1296 |                      230 |                      7 |
|      23 | ODISHA                      |              6794 |                     7099 |                   2304 |
|      24 | PUDUCHERRY                  |               108 |                      101 |                     98 |
|      25 | PUNJAB                      |             13241 |                    12807 |                   7941 |
|      26 | RAJASTHAN                   |             11254 |                     8997 |                   6302 |
|      27 | SIKKIM                      |               199 |                       54 |                     10 |
|      28 | TAMILNADU                   |             12525 |                     7557 |                   2467 |
|      29 | TELANGANA                   |             12769 |                    10882 |                   5385 |

| 30          | THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU   |     38 |     41 |    19 |
|-------------|------------------------------------------------|--------|--------|-------|
| 31          | TRIPURA                                        |    589 |    771 |   366 |
| 32          | UTTAR PRADESH                                  |  57702 |  46780 |  2871 |
| 33          | UTTARAKHAN D                                   |   7795 |   2013 |  1218 |
| 34          | WEST BENGAL                                    |   3339 |   2938 |  2222 |
| Grand Total | Grand Total                                    | 269902 | 214300 | 64913 |

## *Some GP may have more than 1 service points.

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