Kerala's e-Panchayats: A Real Game-Changer During a Pandemic

The Kerala government is gearing up to roll out an e-governance system in 150 panchayats in the state, aiming to provide online access to more than 200 services ranging from income certificates to tax payments. The Integrated Local Electronic Governance Management System (ILGMS) is expected to save the public from the hassles of red tape and long queues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madhyamam talked to officials of Makkaraparamba, one among the 13 villages in Malappuram district that are set to become 100% e-Panchayats.

"I have witnessed people having difficulty standing in long queues to get their services done. People abroad or in other states also find it difficult to come to their respective panchayats to avail these services," says Habeeba Karuvalli, president of Makkaraparamba village

"This shift is much more significant in the context of pandemic and lockdowns," Habeeba adds.

Panchayats will take in and review applications via the web, enabling village employees to get the work done from their homes via a custom-made software. Individuals will receive SMS notifications about the progress of their applications.

Rinshad Mohammed, a postgraduate student, says, "As someone who missed an academic year due to a lag in receiving my certificates, I had always wondered why they couldn't shift the whole process online. Now I'm looking forward to this program."

DIGITAL DIVIDE

Not everyone in Kerala, where the issue of the digital divide has even led to suicides, is enthused about the shift. Neenamma, a 45-year-old lady who is part of an employment guarantee act by the government, has her fair share of scepticism. "I don't even know how to use a phone. How can the government expect poor and elderly to have all these digital skills overnight," she says.

Madhyamam also talked to Anil Ajith, a private-sector worker and a resident of Trivandrum district's Chemmaruthi, where a pilot run of the program was first carried out.

"We have been accessing almost all the services from panchayat online for the past few months, It's really helpful," Anil says.