Panchayats set to take e-way

While the computerisation of panchayats or the e-panchayat system will begin functioning in two months,the software will be installed across all panchayats in Uttar Pradesh in the next three months. The project comes at a cost of Rs 1,402 crore.

Principal Secretary (Panchayati Raj) R K Sharma said that while training of district level officials has already begun,in the next three months,more training camps will be held throughout the state. On Friday,a state-level training camp was held in Lucknow in this regard.

“The computerisation of panchayats is a major step in the way of creating transparency in the system. What makes this system more interesting is that it also manages the accounts of the gram,block and zila panchayats in a similar way,thus creating complete uniformity,” said S Chandola,Additional Director (Panchayati Raj).

To cater to 51,977 gram panchayats in the first stage,IIT-Kanpur has modified PriaSoft to suit the state’s requirements. “Since the panchayati raj institutions are the key to all development activities in the rural sector,it is important that their functioning be error-free,open and also,easy to manage,” said Chandola.

The department aims at computerising at least 50 per cent of the gram panchayats before the panchayat elections,due in September. With the Centre providing financial support to the project,the state government has already prepared its Detailed Project Report to avail the same.

Secretary (Union Panchayati Raj),A N P Sinha: “The panchayats get lakhs of rupees and the accounts should be completely transparent. After computerisation,professionals will be trained to manage the software at each panchayat level.”

He added that since the Centre plans to make panchayats independent,computerisation will be a big help. “By 2011,the panchayats will prepare their own five-year plans,” said Sinha.

After computerisation,all the panchayats will be connected through a common portal.

While some information will be shown only to those who have a valid password,information like utilisation of funds and programmes will just be a click away.

“This is a safety management exercise. While some features will only be for department officials,the rest will be open for the public. All one would need to do is to go to a cyber cafe or a common service centre and check the number of tasks underway or the money spent by his panchayat,” said Chandola.