Why in the news?

  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has introduced digital governance reforms for Gram Panchayats, in line with the vision of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aimed at fostering transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in rural administration.

Digital Divide in  Gram Panchayats

  • What is Digital Divide:
    • The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, communities, or regions in terms of access to, use of, and skills in information and communication technologies (ICTs).
    • It encompasses disparities in internet access, digital literacy, affordability, and availability of devices.
  • Dimensions of Digital Divide in Rural India:
    • Infrastructure Gaps:
      • Limited last-mile internet connectivity, especially in hilly, tribal, and border villages.
      • Delays in BharatNet Phase-II implementation.
      • Inadequate electricity supply and power backup.
    • Socio-Economic Barriers:
      • Low digital literacy among elected representatives and rural citizens.
      • Gender divide: women in rural areas face limited access to smartphones and the internet.
      • The cost of smartphones, data packs, and devices remains prohibitive for poorer households.
    • Capacity and Human Resource Issues:
      • Lack of trained staff to operate Gram Panchayat digital platforms (e-Gram Swaraj, PFMS, DBT portals).
      • Dependency on external operators (CSC owners, private agents)  leads to inefficiency and corruption risks.
    • Language and Content Barriers:
      • Digital services are often in English/Hindi, not in local languages.
      • Limited locally relevant digital content for agriculture, health, education, and governance.
    • Administrative Challenges:
      • Poor integration between State-level and Gram Panchayat-level digital systems.
      • Cybersecurity concerns with sensitive citizen data.
  • Implications of the Digital Divide:
    • Governance Deficit: Weak implementation of e-governance services like Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
    • Exclusion: Marginalised groups miss out on welfare schemes due to lack of digital access.
    • Transparency Issues: Without digital literacy, social audits and real-time monitoring remain ineffective.
    • Slowed Rural Development: Digital divide hampers rural entrepreneurship, e-commerce, telemedicine, and online education.
  • GoI Initiatives to Bridge the Divide:
    • BharatNet Project: Optical fibre to all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats.
    • Digital India Programme: Digital literacy, CSCs, DigiLocker, UMANG app.
    • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): Digital literacy for 6 crore rural households.
    • e-Gram Swaraj portal & mobile app: Transparent planning and accounting at Panchayat level.
    • Common Service Centres (CSCs): Digital delivery hubs for G2C and B2C services.
  • Way Forward:
    • Universal Connectivity: Timely completion of BharatNet and promotion of 5G/6G in rural areas.
    • Digital Capacity Building: Training Gram Panchayat members and rural women in ICT.
    • Affordable Access: Subsidies for rural internet/data plans and low-cost devices.
    • Local Language Digital Content: To make governance and services more inclusive.
    • Community Participation: Involving SHGs, youth groups, and NGOs in digital awareness.
    • Data Security: Strengthening cybersecurity at Panchayat level.