Surat : Palsana Panchayat Wins National e-Governance Award

Surat, Gujarat – In a remarkable achievement for rural digital governance, Palsana Gram Panchayat of Surat district has been selected for the prestigious National e-Governance Award in the special category of “Grassroot Level Initiatives for Deepening/Widening of Service Delivery.” The recognition comes from among 1.44 lakh Gram Panchayats across India, underscoring Palsana’s pioneering work in bringing transparent and efficient governance to the grassroots.

The award will be presented during the 28th National e-Governance Conference in Visakhapatnam, in the presence of key representatives from the Central Government.

Spearheaded by Sarpanch Praveen Ahir and Upsarpanch Pareshi Maisuria, Palsana Gram Panchayat has revolutionized public service delivery through the use of digital platforms. Their efforts have ensured not only transparency and speed but also increased accessibility for the local population.

“Through e-governance, we have made public services easily accessible to every household in Palsana. It is the trust of our villagers and the dedication of our team that has brought this honor to our village,” said Sarpanch Praveen Ahir.

Among the key achievements of the Panchayat is 100% online tax collection and delivery of over 17,484 digital services in the year 2024-25 by the Village Computer Entrepreneur (VCE) and Talati. Services range from certificates and grievance redressals to welfare scheme registrations — all processed digitally.

The “Secure Palsana” initiative further showcases the Gram Panchayat’s commitment to safety and innovation, with around 75 CCTV cameras installed throughout the village. Moreover, Palsana has launched door-to-door waste collection and is building an e-library to enhance access to knowledge and learning.

Surat District Panchayat President Bhavini Patel expressed pride in the achievement:“It is a matter of great pride for Surat district and Gujarat as a whole. Palsana has become a beacon of how rural governance can be transformed through technology. This will inspire other Gram Panchayats in the state.”

District Development Officer Shivani Goyal also praised the initiative, stating:“We aim to replicate the successful Palsana model across other Gram Panchayats. The goal is to ensure every citizen in Gujarat benefits from digital governance.”

The recognition of Palsana Gram Panchayat not only marks a milestone for the village but also serves as a powerful example of how technology can empower rural India. It reflects the true spirit of the Digital India mission, proving that even at the village level, smart governance can bring transformative change.