Puducherry Adopts NeVA: A New Era of Digital Legislative Governance Begins

In a significant move toward digitising legislative processes, Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan inaugurated the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on June 9, 2025. Puducherry has become the 19th legislature in India to adopt the NeVA platform, aligning with the Digital India mission to ensure transparent, paperless, and efficient governance.

Why in News?

Puducherry officially launched the NeVA digital platform to digitize its legislative functioning. The move aligns with the government’s push for ‘One Nation, One Application’. It is part of a broader effort to modernize and digitize governance, reduce paper usage, and increase public transparency through livestreamed legislative sessions.

What is NeVA?

• NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application) is a Mission Mode Project under the Digital India Programme.
• It aims to digitize legislative processes and bring all State/UT legislatures onto a single digital platform.
• Objective: To create a paperless, efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric legislative environment.

Objectives & Benefits

• Eliminate the use of paper, saving 3–5 tonnes annually.
• Enable real-time access to legislative proceedings.
• Ensure livestreaming for greater public accountability.
• Support environmental sustainability through “Go Green” governance.
• Enable centralised data and documentation across assemblies.

Puducherry’s Adoption

Inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan in presence of,

• Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan
• Chief Minister N. Rangasamy
• Speaker R. Selvam
• Puducherry becomes the 19th legislature to adopt NeVA.
• Fully centrally funded by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Key Remarks from the Inauguration

Dr. L. Murugan hailed NeVA as part of broader national reforms,

• One Nation, One Ration Card
• One Nation, One Election (proposed)
• Highlighted India’s digital achievements:
• Second-largest in digital transactions globally
• Reduction in defence imports under Atmanirbhar Bharat
• DBT-led welfare delivery improvements

Implementation Plan

• Capacity building for MLAs and staff to use the platform effectively.
• Awareness campaigns and training sessions will be organized.
• Promotes citizen participation, eco-friendly governance, and efficiency in legislative work.