UGC asks DAVV to help panchayats ensure better governance

INDORE: University grant commission (UGC) has directed Devi Ahilya Bai University to select rural local bodies as areas of interest for academic projects and also collaborate with students and professors to improve service delivery at panchayat-level and to ensure better governance.
Citing a government scheme called e-panchayat, UGC has asked the university to rope in their geography department for capacity building and hand holding of the scheme.
In a letter to vice-chancellor of DAVV, secretary of UGC Jaspal S Sandhu mentioned that government of India is implementing, e-Panchayat, a mission mode project for e-enablement of panchayats. Under this, 10 web-based applications have been developed that address various aspects of panchayat's functioning.
The data from these applications is displayed on Geographic Information System (GIS). The aim is to develop a country-wide Gram Panchayat/equivalent level data infrastructure to improve service delivery at panchayat and to ensure better governance.
UGC has directed the university to stress on three points - panchayat should be assisted by geography departments of university for capacity building and hand holding, academia must give emphasis on selection of rural local bodies as areas of interest for academic projects and also collaborate with students and professors for developing readily replicable models and, students may be encouraged to actively participate in the Gram Sabha meetings and contribute to the discussion therein.
University has been directed to instruct their geography and allied departments and affiliated colleges to collaborate with the state panchayati raj/local government department for more inclusive development of rural areas.