Narendra Modi calls for computer literate panchayat mantris

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged all panchayat mantris (talati) to become computer literate to carry forward the growth of the state.

"To carry forward the growth story of our state you are not only an integrated part of it, but an indispensable organ and if you would be computer illiterate then it will create bottlenecks," Modi said, while addressing a workshop of panchayat mantris in Gandhinagar.

Emphasising the importance of technology, he said there will be a time soon when even human life would not be possible without it.

"Technology is an expression of power," he said while citing different technologies, computer-based development programmes and schemes like broadband connectivity to all village panchayats, e-seva through computers in 13,685 villages, health, agriculture and employment related information through internet at village panchayats.

"If every talati mantri of Gujarat would be computer literate, then no force can bring our state down for next 100 years," he added.

Terming every panchayat mantri as the 'chief secretary' of village, Modi announced Rs 1,000 per month cash allowance for each of them.

The day-long workshop was also addressed by education, panchayat, health and family welfare ministers and chief and principal secretaries of the concerned departments.

The event was organised as a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Panchayati Raj in the state by Ministry of Panchayat and Village Development department.

It was attended by around 8,557 panchayat mantris, 225 taluka development officers (TDOs) and 26 district development officers (DDOs) accross the state.

PTI