From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 19:The State-level conference on convergence for intensification of grassroots governance and development under the banner of Panchayat Raj Officers Conclave 2024 marks a promising start for advancing rural development in Karnataka.
It paves the way for innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address the challenges faced by these communities.
Four major softwares were launched at the event including Release of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy of Rural Drinking Water.
The new O&M policy is critical to improving the efficiency and longevity of rural water supply systems, ensuring interdepartmental coordination.
The O&M policy aims to guarantee functionality, reliability, and the sustainable operation of rural drinking water supply systems.
Key objectives of the policy are:
• Ensure a continuous, safe drinking water supply.
• Maintain water infrastructure effectively.
• Ensure financial, technical, and institutional sustainability at the village level.
• Strengthen government and local bodies for efficient water service delivery.
• Ensure timely and quality water service.
The Jeeva Jala Water Quality, app is an innovative tool for real-time monitoring of the drinking water quality in rural areas.
Providing real-time data on water safety will help local authorities take timely action against contaminations so that access to safe drinking water reaches and benefits rural populations.
Seva Darshaka Service Level Benchmarking platform is established to assess and improve service delivery standards in rural governance.
The proposed initiative aims to design measurable parameters that can be applied to varied services with improved accountability and greater transparency in the delivery of rural services to users.
The application for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme takes the generation of employment in consonance with sustainable development initiatives. What is innovative about the programme is not only that it offers guaranteed wage employment to rural households but also promotes the creation of durable assets that should contribute to long-term economic stability in rural areas.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Information & Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge inaugurated the event.
The conclave brought together key officials from various districts and departments to address essential aspects of rural development, such as water management, sanitation, employment schemes, and technological innovations in governance. This comprehensive event featured expert presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on topics vital to the state's rural development agenda.
Kharge said “We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our state's development journey. The challenges in rural areas are complex, but so is our determination and innovative spirit. We recognise that the stagnation in our department's growth is our responsibility and it is essential to implement effective measures for improvement.
This conclave is more than just a meeting; it is a crucible of ideas, a platform for knowledge exchange, and a launch-pad for transformative initiatives, he explained.
Sharath Bache Gowda, chairman, KEONICS said “We must recognise that about 5.5 crore of our citizens living in rural areas out of 7 crore people in Karnataka, their development is essential for Karnataka's overall progress.
It is our responsibility to implement effective measures that address their needs and challenges. Through this conclave, we can lay the groundwork for sustainable initiatives that uplift our rural communities and foster inclusive growth, he said.