Government of Madhya Pradesh has launched DRASHTI (Digital Remote Auditing System for Transparency & Insights) software along with a Payment Gateway on the Panchayat Darpan Portal to completely digitise the audit process of panchayats. It is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, enabling fully digital and remote financial audits of panchayats. The initiative aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and good governance while modernising grassroots administration through digital technology.

DRASHTI (Digital Remote Auditing System for Transparency & Insights)

• DRASHTI is an online software platform designed to conduct remote financial audits of panchayats without requiring auditors to physically visit the panchayat offices.
• Through this system, auditors can access and verify the income and expenditure records of any panchayat directly from their home or office, making the audit process more efficient and transparent.
• Platform Developed By: Directorate of Panchayati Raj, Madhya Pradesh, with technical support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the guidance of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

Objectives

• Digitise the financial audit process of panchayats.
• Improve transparency and accountability in local governance.
• Enable remote auditing of panchayat accounts.
• Ensure timely audits despite limited audit staff.
• Strengthen digital governance at the grassroots level.
• Simplify financial monitoring and public service delivery.

Key Highlights

• DRASHTI will facilitate audits of more than 23,000 Gram Panchayats across Madhya Pradesh.
• The system enables faster, simpler, and more transparent financial audits.
• It allows timely completion of audits even with limited manpower.
• The software is designed to strengthen financial oversight and improve accountability in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• A Payment Gateway has also been integrated into the Panchayat Darpan Portal.
• Citizens can now make online payments of bills through the portal.
• The payment gateway is expected to simplify digital transactions and improve access to panchayat-related online services.
• Both initiatives are part of Madhya Pradesh’s broader digital governance reforms aimed at modernising administration, improving transparency, and delivering efficient public services at the grassroots level.

Panchayat Darpan Portal

It is Madhya Pradesh’s digital platform for delivering online services related to Panchayati Raj Institutions.

It facilitates:

• Digital governance at the village level.
• Online access to panchayat services.
• Financial management and record maintenance.
• Citizen-centric digital services.
• Online payment of panchayat-related bills through the newly launched payment gateway.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

PRIs are system of rural local self-government established under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Three-tier Structure

• Gram Panchayat – Village level
• Panchayat Samiti (Block Panchayat) – Intermediate/Block level
• Zila Parishad – District level

Constitutional Provisions

• Part IX of the Constitution (Articles 243 to 243O)
• Eleventh Schedule contains 29 subjects that may be devolved to Panchayats.

National Informatics Centre (NIC)

• Established in 1976.
• Functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Provides digital infrastructure and e-Governance solutions to Central and State Governments.
• Supports development of government digital platforms and online public service delivery.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India

• Constitutional authority established under Article 148 of the Constitution.
• Audits the accounts of the Union Government, State Governments, and government-funded bodies.
• Acts as the guardian of public finances by ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient use of public funds.