How Did Surat’s Palsana Gram Panchayat Win the National e-Governance Jury Award?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Discover how Surat's Palsana Gram Panchayat achieved national recognition for its innovative digital governance practices, securing the National e-Governance Jury Award. This remarkable achievement showcases the dedication to improving citizen services and sets the stage for future advancements in village governance.
Key Takeaways
- Palsana Gram Panchayat won the National e-Governance Jury Award.
- Recognized for its innovative digital governance strategies.
- Showcased initiatives like online tax collection and a grievance redressal system.
- The award highlights the importance of community engagement.
- Sets a precedent for other villages to enhance their governance.
Ahmedabad, Sep 23 (NationPress) Palsana Gram Panchayat, located in Surat, has been recognized for its exceptional contributions to digital governance and for implementing innovative strategies to engage with its community. This commendation came in the form of the National e-Governance Jury Award at the 28th National e-Governance Conference, which took place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday. The award was conferred by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in acknowledgment of the panchayat's efforts in advancing digital governance, delivering high-quality services to residents, and initiating groundbreaking projects.
The award was received by District Development Officer Shivani Goyal, Deputy District Development Officer Piyush Patel, Sarpanch Pravinbhai Ahir, and Talathi cum Minister Pinak Modi.
The event was organized through a collaboration between the Union Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), attracting over 145,000 submissions nationwide. Following several rounds of assessment, Palsana Gram Panchayat emerged as a standout winner.
The evaluation began at the taluka level, and after being recognized at the district and state levels, the Gujarat government nominated the panchayat to the central government.
A team from the central government visited the shortlisted panchayats, ultimately selecting six candidates, including Palsana. The panchayat showcased its community-focused initiatives such as online tax collection, a dedicated website, over 17,000 online applications, a CCTV camera system, and an online grievance redressal mechanism. These accomplishments significantly contributed to their final selection.
District Development Officer Shivani Goyal expressed that this award is a point of pride for the entire district of Surat, indicating that further initiatives to enhance digital governance are underway.
District Chief Bhaviniben Patel remarked that this recognition is a proud achievement for every citizen of Surat district, adding, 'This will pave the way for more villages to become exemplars of digital governance in the future.'
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the incredible strides made by Palsana Gram Panchayat in elevating digital governance. Their commitment to innovation and citizen engagement exemplifies a model that other villages can aspire to. This achievement highlights the potential of local governance in transforming communities through technology, and it is a significant step forward for our nation.
NationPress
23/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National e-Governance Jury Award?
The National e-Governance Jury Award recognizes exemplary digital governance practices among local bodies across India, highlighting their contributions to citizen services and innovative governance.
How many entries were submitted for this award?
Over 145,000 entries were submitted from across the country for consideration in the National e-Governance Jury Award.
What initiatives did Palsana Gram Panchayat showcase?
Palsana Gram Panchayat showcased several initiatives, including online tax collection, their own official website, a grievance redressal system, and a CCTV camera system, among others.
Who presented the award to Palsana Gram Panchayat?
The award was presented by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during the 28th National e-Governance Conference.
What does this award mean for other villages?
This award serves as an inspiration and benchmark for other villages, encouraging them to adopt digital governance practices to improve service delivery and community engagement.
