148
o n e
I
ndia’s Panchayats form the fabric of the country’s administrative system.
Creating a grassroots network, panchayats are the base from which governing
power is derived. Considering that the panchayati institution is one of India’s oldest
existing systems, which is still successfully operating, it is imperative that State
Governments across the country accord the correct place to this grand legacy.
Gujarat too must take necessary steps to energize the panchayati system, bringing
it up-to-date with the existing times.
In fact, Gujarat should take the lead
in modernizing the panchayati system, introducing it to the new economy
and e-governance. In this way, an e-panchayat system will be developed
which will leverage the opportunities thrown up by new tools such as the Internet
and e-commerce.
To begin with, the Government of Gujarat needs to bring automation to its
panchayats. As a first step, every Panchayat, in every Gujarati village needs to be
given an Internet connected PC (which can be based out of a community center).
The natural evolution would then be that the various members of the panchayat
get networked PCs within their homes. The annual budget that every Indian MP
has (of Rs. 2 crore) can be partially expended for the purpose of such modernization.
As a second step, the state administration can link itself with this panchayati
network and use it to disseminate information to citizens at the
gram
,
taluka
and
district levels. Basic information relating to rainfall, weather forecasts, cyclone
forecasts, agricultural news, inputs on new laws, among others can be distributed
to villagers through this network.
Another major use of such computerization would be in the area of land records
where the panchayat could have complete access to information on land ownership,
registration and sale within its village. Availability of such information would
substantially reduce disputes. Today, with the Information Technology Act in place,
electronic records are recognized by law.
The Times of India, Ahmedabad December 25, 2000
“
e- Panchayats : Revolutionizing Rural Life”
