Digital Rural Bengal! Yes and it is not a story but reality. All what it needed is a click of a mouse and details of every project in each village and the progress thereof will be available at one go. This is known as ‘Geophysical Information System’ (GIS). The Department of Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development, Govt of West Bengal is developing a website with GIS and along with Management Information System (MIS) wherein the common man with a click of a mouse will come to know the progress of development work being done in the villages of West Bengal.
At the initial stage 3354 villages of the State have been selected to be brought under this facility. Digital mapping and scaling have also started to carry this out. The project is being done with the help of World Bank under the scheme – ‘Institutional Strengthening of Gram Panchayats’ (ISGP). Gradually all Gram Panchayats of West Bengal will be covered under this scheme.
This will not only ensure transparency but also will keep the public updated about each project and the money spent towards the same. To make the system easily accessible the Panchayat Department is distributing android phones to the Panchayat workers.
The website will give details of the following:
• Every stage of the progress of the project will be filmed and put up for the public to view
• Money spent at every stage will be given
• Seven days prior to the completion inspection call will be sent out to the concerned employees who can film and put up the pictures and the expenses incurred
• After the work is over, the budget vis-a-vis actual expenses will be given for all to know the deviation, if any.
This scheme has been appreciated and applauded in all India Level. World renowned think-tank ‘Skoch Development Foundation’ will hand over certificate of appreciation to West Bengal at a seminar on 20-21st March, 2015.