KARDEGA, a small village situated on the border of Jashpur and Jharkhand, lies approximately 20 kilometers from its development block headquarters, Duldula. Traditionally, villagers have faced significant hardships in accessing basic government services and conducting financial transactions due to the distance and lack of local facilities. Residents of Kardega were required to travel to Duldula for even the most minor official tasks. Whether it was obtaining certificates or withdrawing cash from the bank, each visit entailed a full day's loss of personal and professional work, along with the added burden of travel and long queues. These challenges led to considerable inconvenience, delays, and financial strain on rural households. However, now 83 Atal Digital Seva Kendras have been established across the 8 development blocks of Jashpur district.

 

These centers represent a major step forward in rural digital empowerment, enabling villagers to access multiple services under one roof. In the first phase, these centers have been established in 10 gram panchayats of each development block. The government plans to expand the service to more than 8000 panchayats within the next six months. Dilip Nayak, a local farmer, stated that earlier, he had to leave his agricultural work and travel to Duldula to obtain documents like income certificates or land records, causing a loss of one day’s labor. Now, with services available in the village, he can complete official tasks efficiently and is deeply grateful to the Chief Minister. Kishore Kumar, another resident, shared that making payments used to be a long, expensive, and tiring process. With the digital payment system now available in the village, he can make secure transactions without leaving home. Dipesh Minj mentioned that earlier, withdrawing money or handling any official work meant spending the entire day in Duldula without proper food or shelter.

 

Now, with the village center operational, banking and government services are easily accessible, and he expressed heartfelt thanks to the Chief Minister for considering the needs of people in remote areas. The establishment of Atal Digital Seva Kendras marks a significant milestone in bridging the digital divide and bringing governance closer to rural citizens. The initiative not only enhances administrative efficiency but also empowers villagers by reducing their dependency on distant urban centers. The positive reception from the community underscores its importance and the transformative impact it is already having.