e-Governance of Panchayats
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been reviewing the implementation of the E-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) in the review meetings which are held from time to time to monitor the progress of the Project. In the recent past, such national review meeting of all States and UTs was held on 11-12 September, 2012. The last round of national review meetings was held at New Delhi for four days i.e. 18-Feb 2013 to 21-Feb 2013 with different groups of States/UTs. The Project is also being reviewed by the NeGP Apex Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India and the last meeting of the Committee was held on 11-Jan, 2013.
Two important Applications under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) that foster transparency and accountability in Panchayati Raj Institutions are PRIASoft (web based Panchayat accounting software) and PlanPlus (web based participatory planning software). During 2011-2012, more than 1 lakh Panchayats made online voucher entries. Details can be accessed at http://accountingonline.gov.in. PlanPlus facilitates adoption of decentralized, participative planning by the Panchayats. Over 47,000 Panchayats put their approved Annual Action Plans online for 2011-12. These can be accessed at http://planningonline.gov.in
Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) that addresses all core aspects of Panchayats™ functioning viz. Planning, Monitoring, Implementation, Budgeting, Accounting, Social Audit, etc. Under e-Panchayat MMP, 11 Core Common Software Applications (reduced from 12 due to merger of two Applications) are envisaged which collectively constitute the Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES). Four of these Applications namely PRIASoft, PlanPlus, National Panchayat Portal and National Panchayat Directory (now renamed Local Governance Directory) have been adopted by the States since two years. Six more Applications namely Area Profiler, ServicePlus, Asset Directory, ActionSoft, Social Audit and Trainings Management were launched on 24th April, 2012 on the occasion of National Panchayat Day and the States are imparting trainings on these Applications during this year before their adoption. An amount of Rs 130.39 Crores was earmarked for the Project. The details of funds released so far are as under:-
(i) Amount released to NICSI/NIC for conducting field studies, development of Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications and conducting trainings in the States. – Rs. 46.36 Crores
(ii) Amount released to States as incentive grant for adoption of PES applications – Rs. 3.2 Crores
(iii) Amount released to the States for setting up Programme Management Units (PMUs) at State and District levels. State/UT-wise allocation is at Annex. – Rs. 38.5 Crores
During 2012-13, an amount of Rs. 34.3 Crores is proposed to be released to the States for setting up Programme Management Units (PMUs) at State and District levels.
For effective implementation of the Project, workshops/trainings are organised to demonstrate the applications to the State Govt. functionaries. Ministry of Panchayati Raj is also providing trained faculty to provide trainings on all applications. Consultants were provided to 25 States to initiate the rollout of the project upto June, 2012. States/UTs have been given financial assistance for setting up of Programme Management Units (PMUs) at State and District levels for adoption of PES applications. Furthermore, States are also incentivized to adopt the PES applications through the annual e-Panchayat Puraskars.
This information was given by the Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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