Pimpri: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been awarded the prestigious Silver Award in the 'District Level Initiatives in e-Governance' category under the 'E-Governance Scheme 2023-24' by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Maharashtra State Government. This recognition was announced at the 27th National e-Governance Conference (ACEG), held on September 3, in Mumbai.

The two-day conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and took place in the presence of Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Municipal Commissioner Shri Shekhar Singh accepted the award on behalf of PCMC from Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's Chief Information and Technology Officer Shri Neelkanth Poman, and Information and Technology Officer Shri Vijay Borude, were also present on this occasion.

PCMC was selected from over 500 applicants across India, placing among the top 15 for its significant strides in technology-driven administration. The award celebrates PCMC’s transformation from a reactive body to an intelligently active corporation, particularly through the Smart Sarathi Project, which has enhanced citizen-centric services.

The Smart Sarathi Project is just one of many initiatives that have propelled PCMC to this achievement. Other noteworthy projects include the Property Tax Improvement Program, which has boosted tax collection efficiency by 59% in two years, the CHDC Citizen Hub for Data and Communication, and the adoption of Data-Driven Decision (D3) making processes. These efforts culminated in the Unified Report Card for citizens, exemplifying PCMC's commitment to a data-first approach in governance.

Commissioner and Administrator Shri Shekhar Singh expressed his gratitude, stating, "This award is a recognition of our relentless pursuit of excellence in governance. We aim to put citizens at the heart of our initiatives while leveraging technology to enhance service delivery. The success of the Smart Sarathi Project and other initiatives is not just a victory for PCMC but for the entire community. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the citizens and local representatives who have played a crucial role in adopting and supporting these technologies. Their involvement and cooperation have been pivotal in making our e-Governance journey a success."

The Silver Award includes a certificate, a medal, and a cash prize of five lakh rupees. This national recognition has brought pride and acclaim to PCMC, with congratulations pouring in from various levels for the corporation's outstanding achievements in e-Governance, stated a press release.