Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday, 23 June called on Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country to evolve into centres of innovation, digital governance, and public trust, asserting that empowered grassroots bodies are indispensable to realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). He was speaking at the 'Seva Se Samriddhi: Regional Workshop on Panchayat-Led Service Delivery' held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, organised by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Key Remarks at the Workshop

Addressing delegates and panchayat representatives from across India, L-G Sinha said PRIs must move beyond their conventional role as administrative units. 'I believe Panchayat-led service delivery is one of the most important components of the governance system and a subject very close to my heart,' he said. He reiterated the Union Territory administration's commitment to strengthening local self-governance institutions, describing seamless service delivery as a crucial pillar of governance. He also welcomed the National Panchayat Governance Awards, calling such recognitions vital for encouraging innovation and accountability at the grassroots level.

J&K's Digital Transformation: From 154 Trucks to 50 Crore Transactions

L-G Sinha drew a striking contrast between J&K's governance past and present. Recalling his arrival in 2020, he said he witnessed nearly 154 trucks transporting government files between Srinagar and Jammu under the legacy Darbar Move system. 'I was surprised that in the digital age, the Union Territory administration was still dependent on the physical movement of files,' he said. The administration subsequently accelerated digitisation, bringing more than 1,100 government services online within three years. Digital transactions surged from nearly 2 crore between 2016 and 2018 to more than 50 crore in the first six months of 2023 alone — a figure that underscores the scale of the shift.

Panchayat Connectivity and Infrastructure Milestones

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that out of 4,290 Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,211 — representing more than 98 per cent — have been connected through digital networks. The remaining 79 Panchayats, located in remote and border areas, are being covered under the Prime Minister's Vibrant Villages Programme. More than 15,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) are now operational across the Union Territory. He also noted that district plans were prepared jointly with elected representatives, with development priorities identified at the grassroots level and implemented accordingly.

Call for Village Innovation Labs and National Replication of Best Practices

L-G Sinha proposed establishing Village Innovation Labs in panchayats across India to nurture local talent and generate ground-up solutions. 'Can we create innovation labs in every Panchayat? Such platforms can provide opportunities to local youth, farmers, educational institutions, scientists and social organisations to develop practical solutions for local challenges,' he said. He also called for a structured framework to replicate successful governance models from one region across the country, arguing that shared best practices could strengthen both governance quality and national unity. Citizen outreach initiatives such as 'Back to Village', he added, had already strengthened direct interaction between the J&K administration and the public.

Broader Vision: Governance Rooted in Participation and Trust

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's vision of self-reliant villages, L-G Sinha said the Panchayati Raj system is deeply embedded in India's democratic traditions and civilisational heritage. 'A developed India cannot be imagined without developed villages. Empowering Panchayats and strengthening rural governance is essential for achieving national development goals,' he said. He added that governance must be rooted in people's participation, trust, and accountability, and that 'future-ready panchayats must ensure easy access to digital services, participatory decision-making and greater accountability.' The workshop, he said, offered a timely opportunity to chart the path ahead for panchayat-led governance across the country.