(IGP) Special Current Affairs Material for IAS (Pre) 2013 - PIB "Topic : E -Panchayat- An Innovative Way For Enhanced Working"

Chapter: Gist of Press Information Bureau Articles

Topic: E -Panchayat- An Innovative Way For Enhanced Working

Q. Article 243G?

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as units of local self government, are the constitutionally mandated third tier of governance and as per Article 243G of Indian Constitution are required to perform the following functions: Preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; Implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

In addition to this the Panchayats are also required to Levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, rolls and fees Manage the grants-in-aid received from Centre and State Governments.

Q. How Panchayats play crucial role in implementation/ how they act as nodal points?

The Panchayats are the nodal points for delivery of crucial social sector schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), Mid Day Meal (MDM), Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) etc.

Q. Which are the 12 common applications have been developed for e-Panchayats?

12 Core Common Application addressing all aspects of Panchayats’ functioning are:

1. Unique Code: Unique Code to Panchayats would provide nationwide, standardized unique codes to all the Panchayats in the country. All the events related to delimitation of Panchayats will also be captured. This directory will be the underlying thread linking all applications of Panchayats.
2. Panchayat Portals: Panchayat Portals would generate a web site for each Panchayat in the country would integrate with other software applications for Panchayats to act as a single delivery gateway using single sign-on.
3. Panchayat Profiler: Panchayat Profiler would help maintain details relating to Socio-economic Information Socio- demographic Information Public Infrastructure and Services Geopolitical Information of Panchayats

4. Planning & Budgeting: This software would help the preparation of District plans (bottom up) starting from grass roots level Converge the funds from different programmes/schemes to ensure effective utilization of funds Identify fund inflows & Outflows Sources of funding The output of this software would be Panchayat- wise Perspective Plan, Draft Plan, Action Plan and head wise estimates of the budget

5. Accounting: This software would capture the details of receipts and expenditure by PRIs under various account heads and schemes The software will automatically generate the cash book, various registers prescribed by central or state government and Utilization Certificate for various schemes based on the expenditure incurred by the PRIs

6. Scheme Implementation & Monitoring: T hi s would a l lo w ea c h Panchayat t o enter the implementation status of each scheme being implemented on the basis of monitoring parameters defined for the scheme. The schemes may be Central Government Schemes (CSS, ACAs), state government schemes and Panchayat level schemes, if any.
7. Social Audit: This software will capture all events and details relating to social audit conducted by Gram Sabha from time to time, the action taken report etc.
8. Unique Codes to Assets & Utilities: This application will help maintain information relating to the assets & utilities created and maintained by Panchayats. This would evolve into an on-line Panchayat Assets/ Utilities directory.
9. Citizen-Centric Services: This will be a generic Citizen Service delivery module to capture all events and information related to delivery of services to citizens by Panchayats.
10. Grievance Redressal: This will be a generic grievance redressal system wherein the citizen will be able to lodge his/her grievance against any employee of a Panchayat or the functioning of the three tiers of Panchayats and their redressal.

11. Basic GIS Applications: This software would display the maps of Panchayats and integrate with other applications for Panchayats such as Panchayat Profiler, Planning & Budgeting, Asset Directory etc. so that a spatial view of the profile/plan of a Panchayat can be obtained by overlaying various non-spatial data.

12. Capacity Building and Training Management: This would be a portal wherein all information relating to trainings such as schedule, material etc. will be available. Also, the officials who want training on specific topics will be able to register their demand. The portal would also help the training agencies to register themselves as faculty.

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