Surat, May 21 — In a remarkable achievement, the Palsana Gram Panchayat of Surat district has been selected for the prestigious National e-Governance Award, distinguishing itself among 1.44 lakh gram panchayats across India. The award will be formally presented during the 28th National e-Governance Conference to be held in Visakhapatnam, in the presence of senior representatives from the central government.
As per agency report, Palsana has been recognized under the special category of "Ground-Level Initiatives for Deepening Service Delivery" for its exemplary performance in transforming public service mechanisms through digital governance. The Panchayat has made significant strides in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and speed of service delivery, making the village a model for digital inclusion across the nation.
The Panchayat has achieved 100% online tax collection, and during the financial year 2024–25 alone, it provided an estimated 17,484 online services to villagers through Village Computer Entrepreneurs (VCEs) and Talatis. These services span essential documentation, applications, and access to government schemes, all made available digitally.
In addition to administrative transformation, the Panchayat launched the 'Safe Palsana' initiative under which approximately 75 CCTV cameras were installed across the village to enhance public safety. The Panchayat has also introduced a door-to-door waste collection system and is currently constructing an e-library to support digital literacy and education in the region.
The award acknowledges the committed leadership of Sarpanch Pravinbhai Ahir and Deputy Sarpanch Pareshbhai Maisuriya, whose citizen-first approach has been instrumental in Palsana's digital progress. The Panchayat successfully passed several stages of evaluation, including taluka, district, and state-level screening committees, ultimately representing Gujarat at the national level. A central committee even visited the village for an on-site assessment before the final decision was made by the jury panel of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in New Delhi.
Surat District Panchayat President Bhaviniben Patel expressed immense pride over the recognition, stating that Palsana’s success is not only a moment of honor for the district but also an inspiration for other Panchayats across Gujarat. District Development Officer Shivani Goel noted her intent to replicate Palsana’s model in other villages to extend the benefits of digital governance to a broader population.
This national recognition stands as a testament to how technology can drive meaningful change at the grassroots level, reinforcing the potential of e-governance in delivering impactful and inclusive public services throughout rural India.
