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Rural Development

ITI Limited Wins ₹167 Crore E-Governance Contract in Maharashtra

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State-owned telecom equipment manufacturer ITI Limited has secured a ₹167 crore e-governance contract from Maharashtra’s Rural Development Department. The project involves setting up and operating Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra (ASSK) centers in Gram Panchayats across Chatrapathi Sambhaji Nagar, Nagpur, and Amaravati regions. The contract includes system maintenance for one year and deployment of technical manpower at the ASSK centers. The initiative aims to enhance digital citizen services in rural areas, fostering transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in e-governance. Rajesh Rai, Chairman and Managing Director of ITI Limited, emphasized the project’s significance in strengthening the Panchayati Raj System. “This initiative will empower rural citizens with better access to digital governance and help bridge the urban-rural divide in Maharashtra,” Rai stated. ITI Limited, India’s first public sector undertaking (PSU) post-independence, has diversified beyond its telecom equipment manufacturing legacy. The company now operates in sectors such as defense, railways, solar equipment, and IT services, while managing a state-of-the-art data center in Bengaluru that caters to government institutions and banks. The ASSK project represents a significant milestone in Maharashtra’s grassroots digital governance initiatives, further cementing ITI Limited’s position as a key player in the e-governance sector. On the financial front, ITI Limited’s shares were trading at ₹352, marking a 3.94% decline, down by ₹14.45, on the NSE at 1:33 PM today. This contract underlines Maharashtra’s commitment to modernizing governance and ITI Limited’s capabilities in driving technological advancements in rural India.

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Om Birla Encourages Women PRI Leaders to Harness AI and Innovation for Inclusive Governance

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called on women leaders from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation to make governance more inclusive and people-oriented. Speaking at the ‘Panchayat se Parliament 2.0’ programme on Monday, Birla emphasized the critical role of technology in driving sustainable development and empowering grassroots governance. The event, organized at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in collaboration with the National Commission for Women and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, witnessed the participation of over 500 women PRI representatives from 22 states and Union territories. Birla highlighted the transformative power of women’s leadership in strengthening democracy, noting that their inclusion, particularly from rural and tribal communities, is key to achieving socio-economic change. He lauded the Nari Shakti Vandan Act as a testament to India’s progressive vision for gender equality and women’s empowerment. During the event, Birla demonstrated Sansad Bhashini, an AI tool designed to translate speeches into six Indian languages—Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. The tool aims to bridge language barriers, fostering inclusive communication and governance. Reflecting on India’s journey since independence, Birla invoked the legacies of figures like Rani Laxmi Bai and tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda, urging PRI representatives to draw inspiration from their contributions. He underscored the need for women-led development in addressing rural challenges such as clean drinking water, sanitation, and education while promoting self-reliant villages through entrepreneurship. The programme also featured interactive workshops on constitutional provisions, including the 73rd Amendment and the PESA Act, alongside discussions on government schemes targeting tribal welfare. The event reaffirmed India’s commitment to empowering women at all levels of governance, from panchayats to Parliament. Source: Business Standard Photo Credit: Business Standard

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Government Allocates ₹15.27 Lakh Crore for Major Sectors in Union Budget 2024

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh Union Budget yesterday , allocating ₹15.27 lakh crore for major sectors such as defense, rural development, social welfare, and commerce. This budget marks the first of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. Key Allocations and Expenditures Defense Allocation: ₹4.54 lakh crore, a significant decrease from ₹6.21 lakh crore in the interim budget. Capital Outlay: ₹1.62 lakh crore for military capital expenditures, including weapons, ammunition, aircraft, and warships. Rural Development Allocation: ₹2.66 lakh crore. MGNREGA Funding: Increased from ₹60,000 crore in FY24 to ₹86,000 crore in FY25. Agriculture and Allied Activities Allocation: ₹1.52 lakh crore. Focus: Sustainable practices, digital infrastructure, and increased production. Home Affairs Allocation: ₹1.51 lakh crore. Specific Allocations: ₹42,277 crore for Jammu and Kashmir. ₹5,985 crore for Andaman and Nicobar. ₹5,862 crore for Chandigarh. ₹5,958 crore for Ladakh. Education Allocation: ₹1.26 lakh crore. Additional Allocation: ₹1.48 lakh crore for schooling, employment, and skilling. IT and Telecom Department of Telecommunications: ₹1.16 lakh crore. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: ₹22,000 crore. Health Allocation: ₹89,287 crore. Pharmaceutical Industry: ₹2,143 crore. Notable Announcement: Exemption of three more cancer medications from customs duties. Energy Allocation: ₹68,679 crore. New and Renewable Energy: ₹19,100 crore. Solar Power (Grid): ₹8,500 crore. Government Revenue and Expenditures Revenue Sources: Borrowings and other liabilities: 27%. Income tax revenue: 19%. GST and other taxes: 18%. Corporation taxes: 17%. Expenditures: States’ share of taxes and duties: 21%. Interest payments: 19%. Central sector schemes: 16%. Subsidies, pensions, and other payments: 19%. Additional Highlights Custom Duty Reductions: Three cancer drugs and two components for manufacturing X-ray machines. Tax Regime Tweaks: Raised standard deduction from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, saving salaried employees up to ₹17,500. First-Time Professionals: One month’s salary as Provident Fund contribution for first job holders, benefiting 210 lakh youngsters. Capital Gains Exemption: Limit raised to ₹1.25 lakh per year. Angel Tax Reduction: For all investor classes. This budget reflects the government’s priorities across various sectors, balancing between infrastructure development, social welfare, and fiscal prudence.

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