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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Net gain: Maharashtra panchayat adopts eOffice system
A panchayat in the tribal belt of Maharashtra has adopted paperless governance, courtesy the eOffice system extending its reach to the grassroots level. Rohini, located in Maharashtra's Dhule district, is possibly the first village panchayat in the country to implement the eOffice system, a digital workplace solution for government offices. Vishal Narwade, chief executive officer, Dhule Zilla Parishad, said the eOffice system started in the village this year. 'It was mandated from January 1 for district level, we extended it to panchayat too,' said Narwade. He said Rohini is the first panchayat to operate in paperless eOffice mode, though there is no official data yet to confirm it. Located at the foot of the Satpura hills near the state's border with Madhya Pradesh, Rohini is a 'PESA Gram Panchayat', a term used for gram sabhas in scheduled areas which are empowered by the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, also known as the PESA Act. The panchayat has a population of 7,200 spreading over the main village — Rohini — and 7 hamlets (Jagnapada, Bomalyapada, Chirkhanpada, Kalapada, Dampada, Piplyapani and Navapada). Over 80% habitants of Rohini panchayat are tribals, mostly from the Pawara tribe. Until recently, the residents of the panchayat had to walk miles to avail services as their hamlets were located 1-7 km away from the panchayat office. The advent of information and communication technology (ICT) in the village has changed the situation, with residents opting for online service delivery and grievances redressal. The people at Rohini panchayat, which had a literacy rate of just 45% in 2011, now boast about achieving 100% digital literacy. The panchayat uses at least eight different types of ICT platforms, including its own website that allows its residents to avail various services. The others include use of digital platforms such as eGramSwaraj, Panchayat Nirnay app for online participatory decision-making, citizen-centric service delivery via Common Service Centres (CSCs), Panchayat ICT lab for digital literacy, videoconferencing facility and Meri Panchayat app for grievance redressal and seeking suggestions. The latest ICT initiative is the introduction of the eOffice system that helps the village panchayat officials send and receive files in electronic mode. Speaking to The Indian Express, gram panchayat secretary Manoj Dilip Kumavat said that files from the Block Development Office are received and sent back using the eoffice, which was introduced in February this year. Apart from its website, the Rohini gram panchayat also has its own YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram account and a WhatsApp group. It also released its own E-governance policy last year. Narwade said bulk SMS and calling systems are used to disseminate information about government schemes, gram sabha meetings are held in physical and virtual mode where people of the village join remotely and telemedicine facility is available from the primary health centre to all the hamlets in the panchayat. Rohini sarpanch Dr Anand Pawara said the digital initiatives introduced by the panchayat have ensured effective implementation of the government schemes on the ground. Prasanna Kulkarni, a block-level health official, said the footfall of patients, particularly the number of institutional deliveries, has increased after adoption of ICT. Rohidas Surmal Pawara, 30, a resident, said he has availed the online services for getting a birth certificate and registering his grievances regarding non-supply of drinking water and electricity. The digital push by the Rohini gram panchayat has earned it accolades and awards. Recently, it bagged Gold in the National e-Governance Awards, 2025 under the newly added category —Grassroots Level Initiatives for Deepening Service Delivery at Gram Panchayats or Equivalent Traditional Local Bodies — which recognises digital initiatives by panchayats. According to officials, representatives of other PESA gram panchayats have visited Rohini. It has been selected as the panchayat learning centre by Pune-based Yashwantrao Chavan Academy Of Development Administration, the administrative training institute of the Maharashtra government, said Sharadchandra Mali, deputy director at the institute. For this, the Rohini panchayat received funding of Rs 7 lakh from the Central government, Mali said. (The writer was in Rohini village on the invitation of Ministry of Panchayati Raj) Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Raghubar slams govt for non-implementation of PESA Act
Dumka: Former chief minister Raghubar Das on Saturday criticised the state govt for being indifferent towards the implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act, 1996, in the state. Das said, "The tribal society has been deprived of the benefits of the Union govt funds due to the non-implementation of the PESA Act though the community comprises the major support base of JMM, which is the ruling party in the state govt coalition. Jharkhand lost the Rs 1,400crore allotted by the central finance commission in the 2024-25 financial year as the state govt failed to introduce the PESA Act during its subsequent terms. The situation persisted even after JMM promised the electorate to implement the PESA Act in its election manifesto." "The implementation of the PESA Act would ensure 'Abua Raj' in real term as it would provide the traditional self-rule system of the tribal society a legal status in the 13 districts, comprising 112 blocks, which fall under the scheduled areas. The empowerment of the traditional self-rule bodies through the PESA Act will, in turn, go a long way in preventing the ongoing conversion of the tribals, otherwise being supported by the ruling alliance at the cost of the existence of the community and its culture," he alleged, accusing JMM of betraying the tribal society. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo The former Odisha governor further said, "The backward and Dalit community members were at the receiving end as central funds to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees could not be released to the urban and rural civic bodies for development works. Finance minister Radha Krishna Kishore, through a letter to the CM, mentioned that the condition of Dalits was worse than that of the PVTG communities." While local JMM office bearers didn't respond, spokesperson for the state Congress, part of the ruling coalition, Shyamal Kishore Singh, refuted the allegations. "The state govt was committed to implement the PESA act. State Congress in-charge K Raju presided over a meeting with the party's district presidents on Saturday on the implementation of the PESA act. The district presidents have been directed to submit the reports to the party after due consultations with common people of the respective areas falling under the fifth schedule. " The state rural development department had held a state-level consultation with different stakeholders for seeking suggestions on the issue in Ranchi a few days ago.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Activist Medha Patkar stopped at Odisha's Rayagada station on way to anti-mining meet
BHAWANIPATNA/BERHAMPUR: Activist Medha Patkar was on Thursday stopped at Raygada railway station by police and not allowed to proceed to attend a meeting at Singer where she was scheduled to attend a meeting organised by anti-mining protesters. She along with farmer leader Lingaraj and tribal rights activist Narendra Mohanty later left for Berhampur with police escorts. The activist was supposed to attend a meeting at Sunger Haat organised by Ma Mati Mali Surakshya Manch of Thuamul-Rampur on the day. The manch has been opposed to bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri region. On Wednesday, the Rayagada collector Parul Patwari had issued an order basing on the report of the superintendent of police (SP) that an anti-mining dharna at Sunger could lead to law and order situation. When Patkar sought to know why she and her associates were stopped, police presented the order of the collector which prohibited 24 persons from entering or remaining present in Rayagada for a period of two months and taking part in any form of protest. En route to Berhampur, Patkar said over phone it was unjust and unconstitutional on part of the administration to bar them from joining the tribals for the World Environment Day celebration. 'We were not going to protest against anybody or create disturbance. We should listen to different opinions. Why is there PESA Act and Fifth Schedule of Constitution then?,' she asked.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Medha Patkar ‘stopped' from attending Rayagada meeting
Koraput: Environmentalist Medha Patkar (71) was allegedly detained by police at Rayagada railway station on Thursday morning over fears of law and order disruption, shortly after she arrived in Rayagada district. She was supposed to attend a public meeting at Hatpada field in Sunger under Kashipur block in protest against proposed mining activities at Sijimali bauxite mines. "We had inputs that her presence could trigger law and order problems as there were groups opposing her en route to Kashipur. She was requested not to proceed to the meeting and she left the town without any untoward incident being reported," said KKBK Kanhar, IIC of Rayagada police station. The meeting, organised by local outfit "Maa Mati Mali Surakhya Mancha" on World Environment Day , was aimed at raising awareness about environment degradation and tribal rights. According to Patkar, the authorities showed her an order issued by the Rayagada district administration listing over 25 people, including her, who were barred from entering the area. "I was stopped from participating in the meeting by the police. They showed us an order claiming that we had come to incite people. But my objective was to create awareness about the PESA Act and other tribal rights issues," said Patkar.
India Today
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why RSS invite to ex-Congress leader Arvind Netam stirred Chhattisgarh politics
Veteran tribal leader Arvind Netam, who served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Indira Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao, has raised eyebrows in Chhattisgarh's political circles after he got an invitation from the RSS to be the chief guest of an 83, a former Congressman, will not only share the stage with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at the organisation's volunteer training camp, Karyakarta Vikas Varg-Dwithiya Samapan Samaroh, he will also speak at the closing ceremony, where he will highlight a host of significant tribal is hosting this event as it marks the end of the three-year training period for swayamsevaks. It's a deja vu for the Congress as late former President Pranab Mukherjee was also invited to the same event by the RSS in 2018, which was criticised by the party. Speaking to India Today TV, Netam said he was surprised to get an invitation from the RSS."I am surprised that RSS has invited me to a part of such a crucial event. But, I'm going to use this opportunity to highlight a bunch of tribal issues, as the RSS is a guiding force to the BJP and the party is in power in Chhattisgarh. Currently, despite having a tribal chief minister at the helm, there is a huge communication gap between the tribals and the government," he factions manage to work remotely in the tribal regions in the state. Though I'm not politically active currently, I'll raise the issues efficiently as I feel that to get the BJP's attention. This is the best I can do," he on the issues that he would be underlining, Netam said, "Religious conversion is the most important issue that I'm going to raise. It is rampantly taking place and needs immediate attention by the government. Unfortunately, my own community is sleeping over it and I'm going to seek the RSS's help as they keep consistently working on it across the nation.""Apart from that, industrialisation is also an important issue which the state government is not serious about and doesn't have the political will to resolve. Only the RSS can do something about it. It's dangerous how the PESA Act is being taken as a joke in the country, without consulting the tribals. Their lands are being given to industrialists. Only communication with the villagers can resolve this complex issue. For that, the central government must be on board which the RSS can only convey," he exited the Congress in 2023 after floating his own tribal front named Hamar Raj Party, which managed to dent the Congress's vote shares in a couple of assembly and parliamentary seats. However, the party said that if Netam joins the BJP, it will not hurt the grand old is certainly a huge tribal leader. But, tribal people are aware of the RSS's intentions. Netam will lose ground in Bastar if he joins the BJP," Congress spokesperson Sushil Shukla the other hand, the BJP feels that the RSS doesn't discriminate among people and believes in working for the welfare of the senior political analyst Sunil Kumar opined that the "Congress was not investing enough time on finding real issues and converting a non-issue into politics"."It is unfair on Netam that the Congress is attacking him despite Netam having no association with the party. The party shouldn't forget that Netam was also a part of the BJP. So, I consider this as a good move as one may be ideologically on different pages with the RSS. The robust organisation has lakhs of active members and it keeps working closely through their various frontal factions across the nation. He (Netam) will escalate various tribal issues efficiently," he Watch IN THIS STORY#Chhattisgarh#Indian National Congress#Bharatiya Janta Party
