e-Panchayats to have public facilities

Bhopal: Under e-Panchayat Programme, all 23 thousand 6 Gram Panchayats in the state are being converted to e-Panchayats. E-Panchayat rooms are being constructed in the Gram Panchayats which have buildings. Facilities under Panch Parmeshwar Yojana, Performance Guarantee, Self-Taxation Scheme, Integrated Development Scheme, BRGF, RGF etc. will be provided in e-Panchayat rooms where ultra small banks are also being set up. Services including caste and income certificates, copies of khasra, maps etc. will also be delivered within time-limit here. The ultra small banks established here will ensure swift transfer of funds to beneficiaries under various schemes like social security pensions, scholarships of students and Janani Suraksha Yojana.

For smooth implementation of e-Panchayat system, societies constituted at district-level are purchasing and providing computer material to all 23 thousand 6 Gram Panchayats. Every computer will be loaded with MS Windows-7, home basic operating system, MS Office-2013 and Indic productivity softwares. Every e-Panchayat will be provided a scanner, laser printer, UPS, 40-inch LCD TV, 8-port lane switch, 3 patch cards and 8 GB pen-drive. Details of all material provided to e-Panchayats are being uploaded on website through mobile apps. Directives have been given to snap photographs of hardware with mobile camera and geo-tag it through mobile apps. Through this system, tracing of stolen computer material will become easier.

Panchayats & Rural Development Department has directed to hand over responsibility of safety of computer hardware and related material for e-Panchayat system to Gram Panchayat Secretary, Gram Panchayat Coordination Officer and Sarpanch. In case of theft of this material, FIR will have to be lodged with concerning police station. If stolen material is not recovered, its cost will be realised from Gram Panchayat Secretary/Sarpanch. Guidelines and directives have also been issued to ensure insurance of computer material using 10 percent reserved funds of Panch Parmeshwar Yojana and pay annual premium.

Smooth power supply is being ensured in the Gram Panchayats where computer appliances have been installed. Payment of electricity bill will also be made using 10 percent reserved funds of Panch Parmeshwar Yojana and if not available under this head then by using Performance Grant Fund. Expenditure on broadband connectivity will also be made through these heads. Internet connectivity will be taken from BSNL or any other internet service provider (ISP). For broadband connectivity, 512 KBPS speed will be compulsory. It will be based on Wi-Max or OFC technology. Delivery of prescribed public facilities is being ensured in the e-Panchayats where internet connectivity is available.