Guwahati: The Centre has recognised that Congress-ruled Assam has done better than any other state in the country to e-enable its panchayati raj institutions through the use of information technology.
The development, the ruling party claimed, debunked the BJP’s “misinformation” campaign that Dispur had done nothing for rural development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday presented the best e-panchayat award to Rakibul Hussain, Assam’s panchayat and rural development minister, in Jamshedpur on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day.
The e-Panchayat programme is a part of the e-governance initiative for the rural sector, providing comprehensive software solutions for improved citizen services, better transparency, streamlining of procedures and monitoring of revenues and services at gaon panchayats.
Hussain told The Telegraph from Delhi today: “The award is a great achievement for the state government. The use of ICT (information and communications technology) is helping us transfer cash to beneficiaries electronically. It is making the system efficient, transparent and corruption-free. The award also exposes how the BJP had tried, through its misinformation campaign, to mislead the people of the state before the Assembly polls.”
The minister said the BJP had similarly sensationalised the rhino poaching cases, but “we have been acknowledged for our success in conservation efforts” despite the challenges, he said.
The two-phase Assembly polls were held on April 4 and 11 and the ruling Congress and the BJP were engaged in a keen fight for Dispur. The results will be out on May 19.
“The application of the ICT initiatives has revolutionised the working of the panchayat system in Assam, leading to transparency and efficiency. Last year also, our efforts were recognised. It’s nice to be nationally recognised,” V.B. Pyarelal, additional chief secretary looking after the panchayat and rural development department, told The Telegraph.
The State Institute of Rural Development, Assam, was involved in capacity building and preparing the Gaon Panchayat Development Plan Manual, which has been acknowledged as the best in the country.
Sources in the panchayat and rural development department said all gaon panchayats, 21 zilla parishads and 185 anchalik panchayats have now become computerised and all accounts are being maintained through Priasoft, a software tool. Elected representatives are also being encouraged to become computer literate through laptops distributed by the department. Other initiatives include use of mobile technology to capture asset creation in the rural areas.
The department is now planning to roll out participatory planning at the gram-sabha level in June-July, after the model code of conduct for the elections is lifted. Through this initiative, villagers will participate in making their own socio-economic plans through discussions and the same will be uploaded online through the use of the Planplus software.
“All these initiatives and their successful implementation have made Assam one of the best performing states in the country. We need to further improve,” an official said.
Though the award has been hailed, critics of the department said efforts should be made to plug the leakages so that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. “A lot of ground still needs to be covered to claim success,” a BJP leader said.