Srinagar, Jun 23 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said Panchayats must evolve into centres of innovation, digital governance, accountability and public trust, asserting that grassroots institutions hold the key to achieving the vision of a developed India.
Addressing the “Seva Se Samriddhi” Regional Workshop on Panchayat-Led Service Delivery at SKICC Srinagar, Sinha, as per news agency JKNS, said seamless Panchayat-led service delivery is a vital component of modern governance and remains close to his heart.
He recalled that Jammu and Kashmir earlier lacked a fully functional three-tier Panchayati Raj system and said significant efforts were made to strengthen grassroots democracy after its implementation.
“There was no effective three-tier Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir earlier. We ensured the transfer of funds, functions and functionaries to Panchayati Raj Institutions, empowering them to participate meaningfully in development planning,” he said.
Sinha said district-level development plans were prepared in consultation with Panchayati Raj Institutions, resulting in the execution of numerous public welfare projects in rural areas.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s digital transformation journey, he recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, administrative processes were still heavily dependent on physical files being transported between Srinagar and Jammu.
“I was surprised to learn that truckloads of files were being moved between Srinagar and Jammu. Today, governance has undergone a complete digital transformation, and services are being delivered online with remarkable efficiency,” he said.
The LG said more than 1,100 government services have been made available online in Jammu and Kashmir, enabling the Union Territory to emerge among the top performers in digital service delivery.
He credited technology-driven initiatives and citizen outreach programmes such as Back to Village and Block Diwas for reducing the gap between the administration and the people.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has made notable progress in digital empowerment, with over 15,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) operational across the Union Territory.
He informed the gathering that out of 4,290 Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir, 4,211 are connected through digital networks, representing a connectivity rate of over 98 percent.
“The remaining Panchayats are located in remote and border areas where connectivity remains a challenge. However, under the Vibrant Villages Programme, efforts are underway to provide 4G connectivity, road access, electricity and communication infrastructure to every border village,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said digital transactions in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed exponential growth over the years, reflecting increasing public confidence in digital governance mechanisms.
He also called for greater knowledge-sharing among Panchayats and states, urging delegates to adopt best practices from different regions of the country.
“If a Panchayat in Haryana becomes a model for Karnataka, or if innovations from Jammu and Kashmir benefit another state, it will strengthen both governance and national integration,” he said.
Sinha further proposed the establishment of Village Innovation La
