J&K lags behind in Gram Panchayat internet readiness

New Delhi, Aug 12: Jammu & Kashmir continues to face significant challenges in strengthening digital infrastructure at the grassroots level, with only 1,115 out of 4,291 Gram Panchayats being marked as “service ready” for broadband internet connectivity under the Government of India’s ambitious BharatNet project.
This equates to just 26% coverage, far below the national average, as per official data shared in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The data, presented in response to a question, highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital governance and connectivity in rural areas. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has been monitoring the status of digital infrastructure across the country’s 2.69 lakh Gram Panchayats and Traditional Local Bodies.
The BharatNet project, central to the Digital India vision, aims to provide high-speed broadband access to every village. While many states have achieved significant progress, J&K lags behind despite being a Union Territory with strategic importance and connectivity needs. In contrast, states like Gujarat (99%), Punjab (97%), and Andhra Pradesh (97%) have achieved near-universal readiness.
Further, the eGramSwaraj portal, which facilitates digital planning, accounting, and payment tracking at the Panchayat level, has been implemented in Jammu & Kashmir. However, digital adoption remains uneven due to poor internet access in several rural pockets.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj confirmed that it is working with state governments to improve adoption through training, technical support, and infrastructure provision under schemes like the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
The government acknowledged that connectivity limitations, difficult terrain, and security concerns remain key obstacles. However, the government is optimistic that with the recently approved amendments to BharatNet and BSNL’s role as the project management agency, digital gaps in J&K can be addressed more aggressively in the coming phases. (KNO)