2.5 lakh panchayats to get broadband connectivity by Nov 2013

Jul 29 2012.The government is all set to connect 2 lakh fifty thousand gram panchayats with broadband within 16 months with a view to improving public delivery mechanism. A meeting chaired by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluvalia was held recently to review the government's ambitious programme. During the meeting the Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda assured that country's all 250,000 panchayats will have broadband connectivity by November 2013.

The broadband connectivity for gram panchayats will help improving delivery of public services and getting real time
feedback. Besides, this will help in training of panchayat and other grassroots functionaries and empowering the community through e-library. Mr Pitroda has also assured that 58 pilots projects underway in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura to provide broadband connectivity, will be completed in next four months.The government had approved the proposal to connect all 2,50,000 gram panchayats through optic fiber in October last year.