T launches digital profile for every village, eyes data-driven development | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: In a move aimed at strengthening grassroots planning and improving coordination across departments, the state govt on Friday launched dedicated websites for every gram panchayat, creating a digital platform with comprehensive village-level data on population, resources, development needs and ongoing works.The initiative was launched at a state-level workshop at the Telangana Institute of Rural Development in Rajendra Nagar, where ministers and senior officials reviewed preparedness for the possible impact of El Nino and stressed the need for coordinated planning at the village level.The websites will serve as consolidated village profiles, carrying details of population, natural resources, infrastructure, short-term and long-term development requirements, and department-wise works being implemented. Officials said the platform is intended to help gram panchayats prepare integrated development plans and align them with available funding.The govt aims at improving coordination among departments such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, panchayat raj and rural development, ensuring development activities are planned and executed in a more structured manner.With concerns over possible water stress and drought-like conditions, the workshop also focused on advance planning measures for villages.Panchayat raj minister Seethakka said village development plans should emerge from gram sabhas and reflect both immediate priorities and long-term needs over the next five and 10 years. She said the plans should be based on local resources and requirements rather than being treated as mere documents.Water conservation was identified as a key pillar of the proposed plans. Officials discussed measures such as recharging pits, farm ponds and spring ponds, along with works aimed at improving groundwater availability and creating durable community assets.Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said the focus should be on expanding water conservation works, particularly as agriculture in the state remains heavily dependent on groundwater. He said employment guarantee funds should be utilised transparently and in accordance with norms to create long-term assets.Employment guarantee funds and VB G RAM G funds are proposed to be deployed in a planned manner for projects that deliver lasting benefits rather than isolated works.