
	Home
	Objective
	Database
	GEO Distribution
	Success Stories
	Area for PRC
	Informations
	Services
	Statistical Data
	Resources
	ENVIS Centers
	Bibliography
	News Bank
	Contact Us

All Panchayats To Get Networked Computers

The Hindu
Friday, July 15, 2005.

The Panchayati Raj Ministry is to spend over Rs. 1,000 crores in the next 2 years towards installation of computers in 2.4 lakh Panchayats, interlink them with one another and also with a national panchayat portal. But realizing that it would not be able to raise funds for this from its own resources, the Ministry is banking on the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry.

Empowered Committee:
Besides looking rural areas, the programme would also provide employment to at least two persons from each gram panchayat who would be trained to operate the computers. The Ministry would soon enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state Government, with the target of completing the work with in 2 years. An Empowered Committee will be constituted to implement the programme and an officer of the rank of joint secretary would be designated as exofficio director for the mission

This decision was taken at the meeting of the Committee of Chief Secretaries and Principal secretaries (Panchayati Raj) of States and Union Territories here last week. About 35 to 45 % of the Panchayats are likely to be computerized in the first year.

2.4 lakh Panchayats to be linked with one another and with a national panchayat portal.
To provide employment to 2 persons from each Panchayat.
About 35 to 40 % of Panchayats to be computerized in the first year.
Rs. 8000 crores recommended for Panchayati Raj institutions for 2000-05.

Rough estimates made by the Ministry recommend a cap of Rs. 45,000 for every gram Panchayat for their installation of the hardware component. The Ministry would spend Rs. 4000 on training 2 individuals in every Gram Panchayat. The total expense of training 5 lakh persons, including up gradation and refresher courses over two years, would be about Rs. 100 crores.

The ministry is making efforts to club its computerization programme with the Bharat Nirman project that aims to providing infrastructure in rural areas. Computerization is an important component of the Rs. 1.74 lakh crores Bharat Nirman projects initiated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Chairing the meeting, Union Panchayati Raj Secretary Wajahat Habibullah asked the state Governments to expedite constitution of district planning Committees (DPCs) in all districts on a priority basis.

Funds to augments income of Panchayats would be allocated to state on the recommendation of the Central Finance Commission based on the consolidated plans to DPCs, Mr. Habibullah Said. The eleventh finance Commission has recommended grants of Rs. 8,000 crores for the Panchayati Raj Institutions for 2000-05, he added.