Odisha to Be Honoured in Seven Categories at National Panchayat Awards 2024

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to shine at the National Panchayat Awards 2024, with recognition in seven prestigious categories. These awards, presented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, will be conferred during a special ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on December 11.

The accolades highlight the exceptional performance of several Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zilla Parishads from Odisha, reinforcing the state’s commitment to grassroots development.

Among the honours, Ganjam district will take the spotlight with its Keluapalli and Sahapur Gram Panchayats receiving the Sustha Panchayat Puraskar and Swabalambi Bhitibhumi Panchayat Puraskar, respectively, under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar category. Additionally, Chhatrapur Panchayat Samiti from Ganjam will be awarded the Shrestha Block Panchayat Puraskar, while the Koraput Zilla Parishad will receive the Shrestha Zila Panchayat Puraskar under the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar category.

From Sundargarh district, Kasir Gram Panchayat will be honoured with the Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar, and Kenjrikela Gram Panchayat will receive the Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar, recognizing their efforts in energy self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability.

Adding to the state’s accolades, Odisha’s Rajya Gramya Unnayan & Panchayatiraj Pratisthan has been selected for the Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar, acknowledging its exemplary work in capacity building and training for Panchayati Raj Institutions across the state.

Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and Rural Development, extended heartfelt congratulations to the award-winning Panchayati Raj Institutions and the officers and staff of the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, as well as the Rural Development Department. “These accolades serve as a testament to the hard work and commitment of our Panchayati Raj Institutions and will inspire others to aim for excellence,” he said.

The Minister also commended the efforts of Girish S.N., Secretary of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and Surendra Kumar Meena, Director of Rajya Gramya Unnayan & Panchayatiraj Pratisthan, along with their teams, for their role in this remarkable achievement.

The National Panchayat Awards, presented annually, celebrate the best-performing Panchayati Raj Institutions across India, recognizing their innovative approaches and outstanding contributions to local governance and development. Odisha’s achievements this year reaffirm its position as a leader in fostering community-driven progress.