‘J&K witnessed digital governance leap; 98% Panchayats connected’
Srinagar, Jun 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday highlighted historic transformations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the inclusive development revolution driven by the 3-tier Panchayati Raj system.
"In 2020, we set out to build a J&K where the government reaches the citizens' doorstep. With a 'People First' approach, we revolutionised public service delivery,” the LG said while addressing the "Seva Se Samriddhi- Panchayat-led Service Delivery" Regional Workshop organised by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and J&K Administration.
He added, “From just 35 online services in 2020 to more than 1,100 by 2023, UT topped the national e-service delivery rankings. We made Panchayati Raj institutions the strongest voice and largest participants in governance. Through 'Block Diwas' and 'Back to Village' campaigns, we tried to ensure services reach doorsteps, infrastructure meets local needs, and policies flow from the grassroots up.”
Sinha said that between 2016 and 2018, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 20 million digital transactions over three years. In contrast, in the first six months of 2023 alone, there were 50 crore digital transactions—far exceeding many large states. More than 15,000 Common Service Centre outlets are operational in J&K today, with 4,211 out of 4,290 panchayats connected to this network, representing 98.16 per cent coverage.
The Lieutenant Governor shared five key recommendations: establishing a "Village Innovation Lab" in every panchayat for local youth, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and social organisations to collaborate on low-cost solutions; running modern capacity-building programmes for panchayat leaders; institutionalising participatory budgeting (launched in J&K in 2021); mainstreaming sustainable development models like "Green Jammu Kashmir," "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam," and "Ek Ped Beti Ke Naam"; and putting women in leadership roles across all schemes.
As part of the workshop, Panditpora Gram Panchayat from Kupwara and CSC Village Level Entrepreneur Syed Waris Hafiz from Budgam, along with outstanding Gram Panchayats and Common Service Centres from participating states, were recognised and felicitated.
The workshop, held in collaboration with CSC-SPV, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, J&K, included panel discussions, technical sessions, and experience-sharing on strengthening Panchayat-led service delivery through digital transformation, citizen participation, and improved accessibility.
The event was attended by Minister for Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, Commissioner Secretary IT Saurabh Bhagat, Joint Secretary MoPR Palka Sahni, COO Common Service Centres Pravin Chandekar, Director General J&K IMPARD Rehana Batul, Secretary Rural Development Mohammad Aijaz Asad, DIG CKR Rajiv Omprakashn, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, DG Rural Sanitation Anoo Malhotra, panchayat functionaries, elected representatives, Village Level Entrepreneurs, and senior officials. Representatives from civil society, academic institutions, and organisations working in rural technology also participated.
The LG said the objective must be clear: to develop panchayats where every citizen can access services digitally, grievances are resolved quickly, decisions are taken collectively, and accountability is systemic. He described the regional conference as a reflection of three core traits of India—unity in diversity, strength through cooperation, and prosperity through service.