Terming technology crucial for the development of the state, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi pn Sunday pressed for computer literacy among panchayat members of the state.

"For the growth story of our state, you (panchayat mantris) are not only an integrated part, but an indispensable organ and if you would be computer illiterate, then it will create bottlenecks," Modi said while addressing a workshop of panchayat mantris in Gandhinagar.

"If every talati mantri of Gujarat would be computer literate, then no force can bring our state down for next 100 years," he added.

Terming technology as an "expression of power", Modi said there will soon be a time when human life would not even be possible without technology.

He also mentioned various initiatives like broadband connectivity to all panchayats, e-seva through computers in 13,685 villages and online information on health, agriculture and employment at village panchayats taken by his government to give a push to technology-based governance.

Modi also announced Rs 1,000 per month cash allowance for each of the panchayat mantris.

The day-long workshop was also addressed by education, panchayat, health and family welfare ministers and chief and principal secretaries of the concerned departments.

The event was organised as a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Panchayati Raj in the state by Ministry of Panchayat and Village Development department.

The function was attended by around 8,557 panchayat mantris, 225 taluka development officers (TDOs) and 26 district development officers (DDOs) across the state.