December 2024
·
1 Read
India, a land of villages, has over two-thirds of its population residing in rural areas, primarily dependent on agriculture. Democracy thrives at various levels, including local governance through panchayats, which play a crucial role in decentralized administration. Panchayats, constitutionally recognized, focus on social justice and economic development, covering areas like agriculture, education, and disaster management. However, they often limit “connectivity” to physical infrastructure, overlooking technological connectivity. The government has made strides in adopting modern connectivity solutions, but rural implementation faces challenges like infrastructure deficits, low awareness, and environmental concerns. While telecom decisions are centrally managed, effective implementation relies on local bodies. This paper explores the challenges panchayats face in adopting B5G and 6G technologies in rural areas and offers suggestions for overcoming these hurdles.