In a significant step towards digital empowerment, the Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh will inaugurate the pilot project titled ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat’ on 13^th February, 2024 at Paprour Gram Panchayat under Barauni Block of Begusarai District in Bihar to extend PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Service in Gram Panchayats. This path breaking initiative promises to mark a paradigm shift in rural connectivity and catalyze a digital revolution in the heartlands of Bihar. Begusarai is poised to lead this digital transformation in Bihar as the first District where all Gram Panchayats will be equipped with Wi-Fi services under the PM–WANI Scheme.

The pilot project, funded under the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, aims to extend the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) service to 455 Gram Panchayats across 37 Blocks in the Districts of Begusarai and Rohtas in Bihar for the Financial Year 2023–24. This initiative emphasizes the commitment to leveraging digital technologies to enhance access to online services in crucial sectors such as health, education and skilling, thereby elevating the quality of life in rural areas. The integration of technology and telecommunications into the daily operations of Gram Panchayats promises transformative outcomes in education, healthcare, skill development and livelihood sectors. This initiative will notably benefit students, farmers, artisans and Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) among others.

The officials from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of Telecommunications, State Department of Panchayati Raj, District Administration, District Panchayat, and representatives of Gram Panchayats covered under the Project are likely to attend the event which highlights the collaborative effort towards digital transformation and digitally enabled; data-driven and people-centric local self-governance interventions.

The Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Bihar, in collaboration with BSNL, will ensure effective execution and operationalization of the project, along with periodic reviews to monitor progress and performance. Emphasis will be placed on instituting robust mechanisms for Operation & Maintenance (O&M) to sustain the project’s impact over time.

The ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat’ project heralds a new era of connectivity, bridging the rural-urban divide and fostering accountability and efficiency in local self-governance. Through digital footprints in rural areas, the vision for an inclusive and empowered Grameen Bharat takes a significant stride forward.

With access to uninterrupted and reliable Wi-Fi internet services through Public Wi-Fi Hotspots under PM–WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Scheme, Gram Panchayats can facilitate various developmental initiatives and empower their communities in numerous ways such as education, healthcare, agriculture, e-Governance, skill development, economic opportunities to name a few. Gram Panchayats play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth, and a reliable Wi-Fi internet service is a catalyst for socio-economic development in Gram Panchayats utilizing this responsible and rapid way of connecting the unconnected. By ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken significant step to empower Gram Panchayats to contribute meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat, where every individual has access to opportunities for growth and prosperity in the digital era.

 

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