ATM, payment banks, LED TV, Wifi, internet connections, Pragya kendras planned
Ranchi, March 29: In a first for the over two decades old state, all the 4345 panchayat’s secretariats will be upgraded with modern facilities.Â
Under the direction of the Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, the blueprint of the ‘Panchayat Secretariat Strengthening Scheme’ has been prepared. This step is being taken to ensure that the rural pockets of the state are seamlessly extended the benefits of the services and schemes run by the state government. To achieve this, the Gram Panchayat Secretariat building will be modernised with the latest technology The approval for modernising the Panchayat Secretariat has been recently given by the Council of Ministers in order to expedite the strengthening of 4,345 panchayats of the state.
“The amount of grant received from the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission to secure the implementation of the schemes is made available to the Panchayats, but the amount of the Central Finance Commission is spent under the guidelines issued by the Government of India. As a result, it is difficult to ensure continuous availability of services and facilities with the grant amount of the Finance Commission,” admitted an official in the state panchayat Raj department.
“The state government will spend an additional amount of nearly Rs 50 crore to ensure the availability of basic infrastructure and maximum service to the villagers in the Gram Panchayat Secretariat building. This modernisation will improve the standard of living of the villagers by making services available at their place of residence,” added the official.
For strengthening the Panchayat Secretariat, the state government will ensure there is access to paved roads from all Gram Panchayat Secretariat buildings. A Pragya Kendra (common service centres) will be established in the Panchayat Secretariat besides ATM, payment bank and a branch of the Indian Postal Bank. Internet facility will be made available through postpaid net connection cable and WiFi of about 100 Mbps speed will be provided in all Panchayat Secretariats.
Electricity connection, drinking water, proper hygiene and sanitation, robust security arrangements, smart LED TV, computers as well as inverters will be installed.