With the aim to bring transparency and get feedback from the citizens regarding the smart village projects the Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa launched a unique 'SVC-APP' Smart Village Campaign Mobile Application here today. The App is in both English and Punjabi and and is available on the Google Play Store and Apple IOS Store. Mr. Bajwa speaking on the occasion said that app has been made available with the objective to put information in the public domain for development works being taken up in villages by the Department. 'The App has a Citizen interface which allows any citizen to check status of projects under the campaign across the State, added the minister. The app will have pictures of works and estimates, and dashboards at multiple levels, thus allowing for effective monitoring and aiding governance. The App will also serve as a vital tool for making citizens partners in governance and ensuring as vital stakeholders in building ‘Smart Village’.
He further said that the Smart Village Campaign is going on in Punjab with the aim of improving conditions in rural areas by supplementing government schemes for building infrastructure and providing essential amenities in infrastructure, health, education and environment. FC Rural Development Seema Jain briefed the minister that a total of Rs 796cr has been allocated for the smart village campaign and 18808 works have been sanctioned under the campaign. The campaign includes works like Renovation of Ponds, Street lights, Parks, Gymnasiums, Community Halls, Drinking Water Supply, Model Aanganwadi Centers, Smart Schools and Solid Waste Management, thus making villages in Punjab self-sustaining by providing enabling environments.The National Award winning Zila Parishids, Block Samities and Panchayats were also honured on the occasion by the Rural Development Minister. The app was launched in the presence Seema Jain Financial Commissioner Rural Development, Dr. Rozy Vaid Professor & Head of State Institute of Rural Development and Mr. Hardyal Singh Chatha Deputy Director Rural Development and other senior officials of the department.