New Delhi: Marking Good Governance Day, celebrated on the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the transformative ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative. Aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, this initiative is part of the broader ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign.
The ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative seeks to enhance the capacity and competence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by equipping elected representatives and officials with the necessary tools and knowledge for effective governance and participatory planning. Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, the program employs cutting-edge technology, including e-learning platforms, AI-driven chatbots, and mobile applications, to bridge knowledge gaps and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of grassroots reforms, stating, “Governance reforms must begin at the village level to create meaningful and lasting change. This initiative aligns with our mission to decentralize governance and foster participatory decision-making.” He highlighted the initiative’s potential to create scalable models of citizen-centric governance, driving equitable and sustainable development across rural India.
Launch of Additional Initiatives
In addition to the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ program, Dr. Singh introduced several other governance-enhancing measures:
- iGOT Karmayogi Dashboard and New E-learning Course: A revamped dashboard on the iGOT Karmayogi platform was launched alongside the 1600th e-learning course. These advancements aim to empower government officials with tools to monitor capacity-building progress and equip them with skills to address governance challenges.
- CPGRAMS Annual Report 2024: The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) Annual Report showcased achievements in grievance redressal, including resolving over 25 lakh grievances annually. The report highlighted innovations like multilingual support, tracking mechanisms, and the implementation of the Grievance Redressal Assessment and Index (GRAI).
- Simplified Pension Application Form: A single, digitalized pension application form was introduced, merging nine separate forms into one streamlined process. Integrated with e-HRMS and Bhavishya, this initiative reduces processing time, ensuring timely pension disbursement.
- Compendium of Pension Instructions 2024: A consolidated guide on pension-related rules and procedures was unveiled, providing a comprehensive reference for pensioners and administrative personnel.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reflected on the Modi administration’s strides in governance reforms since 2014, including advancements like AI-driven mobile health clinics and face recognition technology for digital life certificates. He paid tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose vision for good governance inspired these efforts.
“Initiatives like ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ exemplify our commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and technological innovation,” Dr. Singh concluded. “By empowering panchayats and promoting participatory governance, we are building the foundation for a future-ready India.”
The event witnessed the participation of senior officials, including Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, DoPT, and other dignitaries, underscoring the collaborative efforts behind these transformative initiatives.