National Panchayati Raj Day 2024: National Panchayati Raj Day is observed every year on April 24. Established under the Constitution, PRIs, particularly Gram Panchayats (GPs), function as the village-level democratic bodies responsible for planning and implementing development initiatives at the grassroots. The day celebrates the pivotal role of local self-governance in India's democratic framework.
Let’s highlight the transformative impact of technology on grassroots governance, developed to bridge the gap between providers and receivers.
What is e-GramSwaraj?
e-GramSwaraj is a web-based platform and mobile app launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR). It aims to improve transparency in decentralized planning, progress reporting and work-based accounting.
The formation of the institutional body marked a significant milestone in the evolution of local governance, ushering in an era of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
National Panchayati Raj Day 2024: All About Panchayati Raj System in India
5 Points To Mark Contribution Of Technology In Helping Local Panchayats
In recent years, technology has emerged as a powerful tool to bridge the gap between policy and action at the panchayat level. Let's delve into the five key ways e-GramSwaraj is transforming the landscape of local governance in India:
- Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: Before e-GramSwaraj, information about development plans and finances often remained opaque. The platform ensures transparency by making panchayat files, planning documents, and budget allocations readily accessible to citizens. This empowers villagers to hold their elected representatives accountable and participate actively in decision-making processes.
- Streamlined Planning and Progress Monitoring: e-GramSwaraj facilitates a shift from paper-based planning to a digital workflow. Panchayats can create development plans electronically, outlining project details, timelines, and budgets. The platform also enables real-time progress monitoring through features like geo-tagging of worksites and photo uploads. This ensures timely project completion and efficient resource allocation.
- Strengthened Financial Management: e-GramSwaraj integrates with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), enabling online fund transfers directly to Panchayat accounts. This eliminates delays and leakages associated with traditional cash-based transactions. Additionally, the platform offers functionalities for work-based accounting, allowing panchayats to track expenditures against planned budgets, and promoting financial discipline.
- Citizen Engagement and Participation: The mobile app empowers citizens to access information about Panchayat activities, ongoing projects, and grievance redressal mechanisms. They can submit feedback, report issues, and track their resolution directly through the app. This fosters two-way communication between panchayats and the people they serve, leading to more inclusive and responsive governance.
- Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: e-GramSwaraj serves as a valuable resource for capacity building within panchayats. The platform provides access to training modules, best practices from other panchayats, and government schemes. This empowers panchayat officials with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective rural development.
In conclusion, e-GramSwaraj is a significant step towards realizing the vision of a tech-driven, accountable, and participatory Panchayati Raj system in India. By bridging the digital divide at the grassroots level, the platform empowers local bodies to deliver efficient services, promote inclusive growth, and usher in a new era of rural development.
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