Odisha Honoured as Best Performing State under Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has earned national acclaim for its exemplary performance under the Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Yojana, receiving the Best Performing State Award under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

The prestigious award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at a national event held in New Delhi. B. Parmeshwaran, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, received the award on behalf of the State.

Odisha’s achievement was further complemented by several district-level recognitions. Mayurbhanj district was adjudged the Best Performing District under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, while Keonjhar district received a Certificate of Appreciation as the Best Performing District under the Dharati Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan. In the individual categories, Rakesh Ranjan Biswal, Additional District Welfare Officer, Koraput, was honoured as the Best State Master Trainer, and Sanjeev Majhi from Kalahandi district was felicitated as the Best Aadi Saathi.

Launched as part of the Government of India’s initiative to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the Dharati Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan aims to deepen tribal participation in governance and strengthen local tribal institutions. Under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, Odisha recently organized special Gram Sabhas across the state, leading to the approval of 5,500 village action plans — a testament to the State’s focus on participatory and inclusive development.

This national recognition highlights Odisha’s sustained commitment to improving the quality of life in tribal areas through education, livelihood promotion, women’s empowerment, and digital inclusion. It also reflects the coordinated efforts of local administrations, government departments, and grassroots functionaries in ensuring that development truly reaches the last mile.