In a significant move to prevent revenue evasion and enhance transparency in financial transactions across the three-tier panchayat system, the state government is set to launch a new digital portal named 'Sahaj Saral' on April 1 this year.
This initiative will mark the end of handwritten receipts at all levels, including Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, and Gram Panchayat, streamlining the revenue collection process.
The new portal, developed with the support of 'Unified Accounting Software,' will not only facilitate financial transactions but also integrate permission-related processes for various activities. With this system, Navanna, the state secretariat, aims to introduce stringent monitoring of the panchayat's income and expenditure framework, ensuring greater accountability.
From April 1, all panchayat bodies will be mandated to operate under this new digital framework.
Previously, financial transactions at the Gram Panchayat level were managed through the Gram Panchayat Management System (GPMS) portal, while the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti relied on the ‘IFMS Saral Portal.’ However, with the introduction of 'Sahaj Saral,' all financial operations across the three tiers will now be consolidated under a single digital platform.
“Instructions have already been dispatched to district magistrates across the state to ensure the seamless adoption of this new system,” said a senior official of panchayat and rural development department.
He highlighted that a substantial amount of cash transactions occur within the three-tier panchayat system, involving revenues from land, houses, immovable properties, river ghats, fields, and various tenders. “The panchayats also allocate funds for developmental and social welfare projects. The automation of financial transactions through the 'Sahaj Saral' portal is expected to enhance efficiency, ensuring that receipts are generated digitally instead of manually,” the official explained.
The officer emphasised the necessity of this transition, saying, "The state government incurs significant revenue losses due to cash transactions within the three-tier panchayat system. This not only creates opportunities for corruption but also prevents the state treasury from receiving the appropriate revenue. After extensive deliberation, the government has decided to implement this new portal."
The 'Sahaj Saral' portal will also extend its functionalities beyond revenue collection. “It will incorporate services such as issuing licenses for online businesses, managing panchayat tourism, and inviting tenders. With its launch, the existing system will be phased out within seven days. To facilitate a smooth transition, district magistrates have been instructed to take necessary measures to ensure that all panchayat officials swiftly adapt to the new platform,” said another officer of the state administration.
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