Lok Sabha Question No. 3940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Digital Governance Tools
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato, Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Shri Khagen Murmu, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Balabhadra Majhi, Shri Dineshbhai Makwana

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3940

ANSWERED ON 25.03.2025

## DIGITALGOVERNANCE TOOLS

†3940. Dr. Rajesh Mishra:

Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato:

Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor:

Shri Lumba Ram Chaudhary:

Shri Dineshbhai Makwana:

Shri Dulu Mahato:

Shri Khagen Murmu:

Shri Balabhadra Majhi:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State:

(a) the details of specific digital governance tools and AI/ML applications introduced to the elected representatives;

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure their practical implementation at the panchayat level;

(c) whether there is any proposal for expansion of similar capacity building initiatives in various States including Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand particularly the areas with Panchayati Raj institutions lagging in digital Governance; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

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

(a) 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.

Additionally, the Ministry has integrated eGramSwaraj with the Government eMarketplace (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.

Through the implementation of SVAMITVA Scheme, accurate geo-referenced maps of abadi areas in 3.2 lakh villages have been created using drone Survey. Using the AI tools in Gram Manchitra (https://grammanchitra.gov.in/) application of MoPR, the rooftop solarization potential of village houses have been estimated for use by the residents.

(b) The Ministry constantly engages with the States through virtual and physical training and enablement for States to adopt the eGramSwaraj application. Review meetings, workshops, hand-holding sessions, video conferences and visits by senior officials to States is undertaken regularly to review progress. A National Project Management Unit (NPMU) also coordinates/facilitates the implementation of this project. All States are making efforts to implement e-Panchayat MMP, based on their available resources. However, due to differentials in the level of preparedness of Panchayats across the country, States are at different stages of implementing these applications.

(c) & (d) The Ministry has been implementing the Revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since the financial year 2022-23 in States and Union Territories, including Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The primary objective is to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by providing training to Elected Representatives (ERs), functionaries, and other stakeholders, enhancing their governance skills for effective leadership and efficient functioning of Panchayats.

As part of this scheme, the Ministry facilitates capacity building and training for elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries, and other stakeholders in various categories, such as basic orientation, refresher training, thematic training, specialized training, ICT tools, and Panchayat Development Plan training. Additionally, the Ministry supports exposure visits, as well as the development of training modules and materials. A new initiative under the Leadership/Management Development Program (MDP) focuses on capacity building and training through institutes of excellence.

Training programs cover areas such as thematic development planning, financial management, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural governance and service delivery, and specialized topics, leading to enhanced governance at the grassroots level.

To promote digital governance, elected representatives and functionaries utilize the GramSwaraj application, developed under the e-Panchayat Mission Model Project (MMP), which supports digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments. To encourage

the effective use of technology at the Panchayat level, various training materials and artifacts related to e-Gram SWARAJ, such as brochures, quick reference guides, and SOPs for the Online Payment module, have been made available to Panchayats. These resources are also accessible on the e-Gram SWARAJ website (https://egramswaraj.gov.in/). Additionally, training sessions are being organized on an as-needed basis for states including Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

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