The Ministry is conducting the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) as part of the Digital India Programme with the goal of improving the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Building on earlier successes, the Ministry introduced eGramSwaraj, a work-based complete application for PRIs, on April 24, 2020, as part of the e-Panchayat MMP. On a single digital platform, including online payments, this application integrates all facets of Panchayat operation, including planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management, etc.
The Ministry works closely with the States to support their adoption of the eGramSwaraj application by providing both virtual and in-person training. Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2022–23 have already been created and submitted by 2.48 lakh GPs. 1.44 lakh GPs and 91,607 GPs, respectively, took out online transactions under the 14th Finance Commission in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. Similar to this, 1.93 lakh GPs carried out online transactions in 2021–2022 under the 15th Finance Commission.
Additionally, the Department of Telecommunications is implementing the BharatNet project in stages in order to connect all of the Gram Panchayats in the nation to broadband in order to realise the goal of a Digital India. Under the BharatNet initiative, 1,78,271 GPs have so far been certified as service-ready in the nation. On June 30, 2021, BharatNet’s coverage area was expanded to include all inhabited villages outside of general population centres. The BharatNet project, which aims to give all Gram Panchayats and their equivalents throughout the nation broadband connectivity, is anticipated to be finished in August 2023.
