Punjab Wins Prestigious ‘Digital Excellence Award’ for Citizen-Centric Reforms
• Tech-driven governance is our top priority: Aman Arora
• Punjab Govt using technology to deliver transparency, efficiency & seamless public services
• Director GG&IT Sarangal receives award at Technology Sabha 2026 in Hyderabad
Chandigarh, March 1
In strong recognition of its citizen-focused reforms, the Punjab Government has been awarded the prestigious Digital Excellence Award at the Technology Sabha 2026, honoring its pioneering use of technology to promote transparency, efficiency, and last-mile delivery of public services.
Director of Governance, Good Governance and Information Technology (GG&IT), Mr. Vishesh Sarangal, received the award on behalf of the state government at the Technology Sabha 2026, organized by the Indian Express Group in Hyderabad. The event was attended by leading technology experts and policymakers from across India.
Dedicating the achievement to the people of Punjab and the dedicated team of the department, Punjab’s Minister for Good Governance and Information Technology, Aman Arora, stated that this recognition is a direct result of the Punjab Government’s clear mandate to create a transparent, paperless, and accountable administrative system.
“This award validates the Punjab Government’s commitment to good governance and citizen-centric reforms,” Mr. Aman Arora said. He credited the government’s vision for eliminating the “middleman culture” and empowering every citizen by delivering services directly at their doorstep with dignity and convenience. “This digital transformation is not merely about technology—it is about rebuilding public trust in the system.”
The Minister highlighted Punjab’s innovative, “first-of-its-kind” digital initiatives that are setting new national benchmarks for citizen convenience. He spotlighted the flagship scheme “Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar”, a revolutionary program that enables citizens to access more than 430 government services simply by dialing helpline number 1076 from the comfort of their homes—eliminating the need to visit government offices.
He further noted that Punjab has empowered Sarpanchs, Nambardars, and Municipal Councillors (MCs) to verify applications online, significantly speeding up the issuance of essential certificates by integrating technology with grassroots leadership.
Following the successful onboarding of Patwaris and field staff, the state has processed over 12.5 lakh applications online, achieving a record-low pendency rate of just 0.33%—a clear demonstration of the system’s efficiency.
Additionally, platforms like M-Sewa and Connect Punjab offer a unified mobile interface and a strong grievance redressal mechanism, allowing citizens to track applications and provide real-time feedback—ensuring accountability at every stage, the Minister emphasized.
Looking ahead, Director Vishesh Sarangal outlined the future roadmap: “We are not stopping here. The next phase of Punjab’s digital journey will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to make service delivery even simpler. Our aim is to build a 100% paperless and contactless ecosystem for all major life-cycle services—including income, residence, and caste certificates. This award will strengthen our resolve to completely eliminate red-tapism and ensure every government service is available to the common citizen at the click of a button.”
This recognition firmly positions Punjab as a leading model of digital governance and citizen empowerment in India
