DAANVEER, a citizen participation initiative to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats across the country was launched today by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi. DAANVEER is a platform designed  not just to close the immediate computer gap in the Gram Panchayats but to evolve into a long-term, citizen-powered ecosystem for strengthening local institutions. It is a transparent, end-to-end digital and verifiable platform that enables citizens and organisations to contribute towards the identified technology and infrastructure needs of Gram Panchayats in India. The initiative institutionalises the spirit of voluntarism in the society by providing a structured, accountable and seamless mechanism for supporting grassroots digital infrastructure. An initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, it has been developed in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and DigiHaat.

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Launching the initiative, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj described DAANVEER as an important step towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by ensuring that every Gram Panchayat is digitally equipped, connected and future-ready. He said that the initiative provides citizens across the globe,  with an opportunity to reconnect with their roots by contributing meaningfully to the development of their native villages. Emphasising upon the transformative role of digital infrastructure at the grassroots, he observed that a computer in a Gram Panchayat is no longer merely a device for maintaining records; it is an enabler of faster service delivery, greater transparency and improved governance. He noted that DAANVEER should be viewed not as a donation drive, but as a platform for partnership that enables citizens and institutions to become active participants in strengthening local self-governance and advancing the vision of  Digital India.

The State officials  participating in the event from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra lauded the initiative and shared that several citizens and philanthropists in their respective States have already shown keen interest in supporting Gram Panchayats by donating computers. They noted that strengthening digital infrastructure at the Panchayat level would significantly improve the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of public service delivery in the country.

The launch was also attended by Smt. Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary MoPR; Smt. Palka Sahni, Joint Secretary MoPR; Shri Vipul Ujwal, Director MoPR along with senior officials from the State Panchayati Raj Departments from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

About DaanVeer

DAANVEER builds upon India’s long tradition of voluntary public contribution while introducing a technology-enabled institutional framework to enhance trust, transparency and ease of participation. Drawing on the experience of earlier voluntary contribution models, the initiative incorporates verified institutional needs, standardised contribution options, end-to-end digital tracking, and direct delivery, thereby creating a credible standardized mechanism through which citizens can participate in strengthening public institutions. Carrying the tagline “Give Back to Your Village”, DAANVEER  is entirely voluntary.  Available through the Meri Panchayat mobile application, DAANVEER enables individuals and organisations to contribute standardized, quality-verified computer bundles directly to eligible Gram Panchayats. The initiative integrates the Meri Panchayat app with the DigiHaat marketplace, allowing donors to choose from pre-approved computer bundles that are mapped to State-specific technical specifications. Delivery details are automatically populated, eliminating additional paperwork. Donors can also track their contribution from dispatch to installation and receive a digital certificate of appreciation in recognition of their support. Details of the initiative, including the list of eligible Gram Panchayats and the contribution process, are available through the Meri Panchayat app.

India has nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, which form the foundation of grassroots democracy and local service delivery. Building on the Ministry’s digital governance ecosystem-including e-GramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat, Sabha Saar, AuditOnline, Gram Manchitra and other digital platforms – DAANVEER seeks to bridge digital infrastructure gaps and ensure that every Gram Panchayat is equipped to deliver citizen-centric services efficiently and transparently. The initiative also provides citizens living away from their native villages, including members of the Indian diaspora, with a credible and transparent mechanism to contribute to the development of the Gram Panchayats to which they remain connected. Through DAANVEER, citizens can meaningfully participate in strengthening rural digital infrastructure while contributing to the broader vision of a digitally empowered and self-reliant rural India.

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