Panchayati Raj Ministry Advice to States/UTs on Procuring ICT Infrastructure

Panchayati Raj Ministry Advice to States/UTs on Procuring ICT Infrastructure
While going for the e-Panchayat module for grater transparency and accountability in the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has advised the States/UTs to adopt the following procedure:

(i) Formation of a dedicated State e-Panchayat Society for pooling of resources (MGNREGA, BRGF, 13th CFC, State funds etc.) and operational efficiency. For this MoA/Regulations of the Society formed in Punjab and M.P. are available at: www.panchayat.gov.in.

(ii) Recommendation of Service Procurement Model (SPM for the States lacking trained manpower to operate computers, lack maintenance services for the hardware in rural areas etc. SPM would provide H/w and trained Manpower for the transition period of 2-3 years, during which the GPs would develop internal capacity.

(iii) States having manpower can opt USOF–PC model. Under the scheme, enlisted vendors are to provide the PC on EMI basis with an initial security deposit. Accessories may also be procured at rates given in the scheme. In the case of bulk orders, vendor(s) may even establish District Level Support Centres for maintenance support during the warranty phase. GPs can return the machine to the vendor, on unsatisfactory performance or maintenance and they need not pay EMI from that month onwards. Evidently, in the USOF PC Bundling Scheme, vendors (M/s HCL Infosystem and M/s Novatium) have been selected by BSNL through a bidding process. The States should, therefore, adopt the scheme right away without re-tendering etc.

(iv) Outright purchase model is not recommended due to the problems of integrating hardware, manpower, connectivity etc. If outright purchase of H/w has to be made, it must have five years of warranty/AMC.

(v) In the event of un electrified Panchayat or Panchayats with erratic power supply laptop option may be preferred over desktop. So also, if a Secretary is incharge of several GPs.

(vi) States having power supply problem in GPs, may also consider the Rajasthan initiative of providing Solar PV Power Packs and availing GoI subsidy. Options for power back up in remote areas could be: (i) Desktops with UPS having 6-8 hours backup, (ii) Laptops with extra batteries, (iii) Solar PV cells.

These recommendations are a part of the requirements in the recently identified 12 Core Common Application Software areas where the concept of e-Panchayat will be applicable.