E-Gram Panchayats: Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Rural Administration

Abstract

The \"e-Gram Panchayat\" application is a transformative digital platform designed to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of rural governance in India. This application leverages Information Technology (IT) to bridge the digital divide and empower Gram Panchayats, the local self-governing bodies, to better serve their constituents. The project aims to bring government services, land records, social welfare schemes, and administrative processes to the fingertips of citizens in rural areas.Key features of the e-Gram Panchayat application include a user-friendly interface accessible via web and mobile, comprehensive data management systems, robust security measures, and integration with other government databases. It also includes modules for citizen registration, service delivery, document management, GIS mapping, feedback mechanisms, and capacity building. By adopting e-Gram Panchayat, rural citizens can access critical services and information from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for time-consuming and often cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. Furthermore, the application enables Panchayat officials to streamline administrative workflows, monitor service delivery, and engage with their constituents more effectively.The implementation of e-Gram Panchayat involves addressing challenges such as digital infrastructure, data security, and capacity building, while also promoting interoperability with other government systems. The success of this initiative has the potential to revolutionize rural governance, improve citizen engagement, and contribute to the broader goals of digital India.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

 E-panchayat The vast  majority of India's population lives in  the village and the Panchayat (village level governance units also known as Panchayat Raj Institutions) represent the face of the governance for these villagers.e-Panchayat is an initiative for providing software solution attempting automation of Gram Panchayat functions.

Benefits are improved citizen services, better transparency, streamlining of procedures and monitoring of revenues & services. The state Governments have created several Panchayat Raj institutions to ensure grass root level development.

At village level the Gram Panchayats are there, these are grass root level institutions. The grampanchayat provide birth, death certificate, domicile certificate, receipts for house tax, water tax etc… They give order for construction of road, buildings, renewal of building.

They keep records of their monthly & yearly budget. E-Panchayat provides online service to the people living in that area.

All the services which are done manually are made online in the project.

The people can about their panchayat, activity notifications and all other information related their villages.

All the applications and certificates are applied and verified online.

The users on the people in the village can complain about their problem through online.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. To Digitize and Streamline Administrative Processes: To automate and simplify the administrative functions of Gram Panchayats, making them more efficient and accessible.
2. To Improve Citizen service Delivery: To provide convenient and prompt services to citizens, including issuing certificates, land records, and social welfare schemes.
3. To Enhance Transparency and Accountability: To make governance processes more transparent, reducing corruption and ensuring that citizens can track the progress of their requests.
4. To Bridge the Digital Divide: To ensure that rural citizens, including those with limited digital literacy, can access and benefit from e-Gram Panchayat services.
5. To Enable Effective data Management: To maintain accurate and organized records of citizen data, land records, and financial transactions.
6. To Empower Citizens: To enable citizens to participate in local decision-making and governance processes through the application.
7. To Strengthen Data Security and Privacy: To protect citizen data and maintain privacy while facilitating online transactions.
8. To Provide real-time Reporting and Analytics: To offer decision-makers insights into service delivery and governance performance through data-driven reports.
9. To Facilitate Interdepartmental Coordination: To enable seamless data exchange and collaboration with other government departments and agencies.
10. To Encourage e-literacy and Digital Skills: To promote digital literacy and build the capacity of both citizens and Panchayat officials to use the application effectively.

III. LITERATURE SURVEY

A. Conceptual Framework and Evolution of e-Gram Panchayat

Research on the conceptualization and evolution of e-Gram Panchayat in the context of rural development.

Studies on the historical development and policy framework of e-Gram Panchayat in India.

B. Impact of e-Gram Panchayat on Rural Governance

Evaluation of the impact of e-Gram Panchayat on improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in rural governance.

Studies on the role of e-Gram Panchayat in citizen empowerment and participation in local decision-making.

C. Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity in Rural Areas

Research on the challenges and opportunities related to digital infrastructure and connectivity in rural regions.

Assessments of the digital divide and efforts to bridge the gap through e-Gram Panchayat.

D. Digital Literacy and Capacity Building

Studies on initiatives and programs aimed at enhancing digital literacy among rural citizens and Panchayat officials.

Research on the effectiveness of capacity-building strategies for digital governance.

E. Service Delivery and Efficiency

Analysis of the impact of e-Gram Panchayat on the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery in rural areas.

Studies on the optimization of administrative processes and workflow in Gram Panchayats through digitalization

F. Data Security and Privacy

Studies on data security and privacy challenges in e-Gram Panchayat systems.

Investigations into data protection measures, regulations, and best practices.

G. Interoperability and Standardization

Exploration of interoperability challenges in e-Gram Panchayat systems, including data exchange between different government departments.

Studies on standardization efforts to facilitate seamless communication and data sharing.

H. Citizen Engagement and Feedback

Research on strategies to engage citizens in the e-Gram Panchayat ecosystem, including online forums and feedback mechanisms.

Assessments of the impact of citizen engagement on policy-making and service delivery.

I. Sustainability and Funding Models

Studies on funding models and financial sustainability of e-Gram Panchayat projects.

Research on public-private partnerships and innovative funding approaches for rural digital governance.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS OF MODULES

A. Web Application

The proposed web application can use admin and user for the operations to be performed. It used to send notification through firebase from client to admin and admin to client. Web application produces all taxes records in the database. This system use to send document for a client. User can watch what is the current scheme running in village and all details about village such as sarpanch contact number and other committee members number and photos of village. All the request of the farmer or people admin can handle, admin has an authority to check farmer’s details by their aadhar card number. In admin panel, Admin can see farmer’s pending home tax and water tax, if it is nil then only farmer can get their document.

B. Server

Server is helps store the data globally. In this System we are using SQL Server 2008 R2. It is three tier architecture. 

C. Android Application

In android application as well as web application, we can register or sign up with our email, password and mobile number. Each user can apply online documents in web application and android application such as birth certificate, living certificate, income certificate etc.  

D. Database

Database handlers create database in such a way that only one set of software program provide access of data to all the users. This System uses SQL Server 2008 R2 for storing the data. In android application, the system uses Fire base console to store the data in cloud. Firebase console is Google free service; we can use the cloud as the database. A database is an organized collection of data, generally stored and accessed electronically from a computer system. The database management system is the software that interacts with end users, applications, and the database itself to capture and analyze the data. 

MODULES

1. Module 1: In android application as well as web application, we can register or sign up with our email, password and mobile number. 
2. Module 2: The user will get welcoming mail from our website. Then the user can login with email id and password. Later user will get all the necessary information about village. 
3. Module 3: User can watch what are the current schemes running in village and all details about village such as sarpanch contact number and other committee members number and photos of village.
4. Module 4: All the request of the farmer or people admin can handle, admin has an authority to check farmer’s details by their aadhar card number. 
5. Module 5: Admin can see farmer’s pending home tax and water tax, if it is nil then only farmer can get their document.
6. Module 6:  Each user can apply online documents such as birth certificate, living certificate, income certificate etc.

Conclusion

The E-Gram Panchayat System is a significant step towards transforming rural governance in India by providing efficient services, enhancing transparency, and promoting citizen participation. It has the potential to make a positive impact on millions of citizens by reducing paperwork and improving efficiency. However, challenges can be overcome through collaboration between government authorities, civil society, and technology stakeholders. The system aims to make administration more accountable and transparent by providing user IDs and passwords for gram-sevaks, minimizing corruption and saving time for common people and government officers. The use of software applications has also enabled easy access to information about the Panchayat Raj system, enhancing accountability and citizen engagement. As a result, most Gram Panchayats have adopted digital solutions for administrative and accounting purposes.

References

[1] Amit N. Sangole, S. A. Bhura, “Sustainable Development of Grampanchayat through E-Governance”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, 2016. [2] S. D. Dhage, G. A. Ghone, Akash R. Bhojane, Prathamesh B. Thorat, Naim Y. Shaikh, “E-Gram Panchayat Management System”, International Journal for Scientific Research & Development, 2018. [3] Sonali Jindal, Vinay Ojha “E-Panchayat – A Revolution,” International Journal of Science Technology and Management, 2017. [4] M. S. Sawane, Prashik S. Awachar, Saurabh S. Shah, Sushant C. Waghole “E-Gram Panchayat using ICT,” International Journal for Scientific Development & Research, 2019. [5] Pooja S. Bhagat, Pornima B. Niranjane, “Smart E- Governance for Grampanchayat,” International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research,2013. [6] Resham Dhillon, and Vijay Laxmi “Reaching Rural Population for EGovernance Through E-Panchayat: A Review Paper. [7] Amit N. Sangole, S. A. Bhura, “Sustainable Development of Grampanchayat through E-Governance”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technologies, 2016. [8] Chandrakala V, Maitra, Veena D R, Shridevi, P Suhas, “Smart Village System for Rural Development”, International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), 2021. [9] Siddhant Vora1, Aadarsh Mehndiratta, UN Krishna Teja, “Smart Machine and Application for Rural Development”, International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), July-2017. [10] Pratiksha Dhage, Shital Wathore, Prof. Vidya Jagtap, “E-GRAM PANCHAYAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, Open Access International Journal of Science & Engineering (OAIJSE) December 2018.

Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Mrs. Madhuri Thorat, Rasika Jadhav, Jyotsna Kharade, Mrunal Kudapane, Rutuja Nimse. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.