Suakati Gram Panchayat in Keonjhar Bags Prestigious Jury Award at National e-Governance Awards 2025

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has added another feather to its cap as Suakati Gram Panchayat in Keonjhar district’s Banspal block has been honoured with a coveted Jury Award at the 22nd National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025. This recognition makes Suakati one of only three local bodies in the country to be awarded in the newly introduced Gram Panchayat category, which acknowledges pioneering grassroots efforts in leveraging technology to improve public service delivery.

Joining Suakati in this national recognition are Palsana Gram Panchayat from Gujarat and Lalitpur Municipal Council from Uttar Pradesh. This year marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time Gram Panchayats have been formally recognized under the NAeG awards, underscoring the Centre’s renewed focus on empowering rural India through digital innovation.

Organised annually by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, the National Awards for e-Governance celebrate exemplary digital initiatives that have brought transformative changes to governance in India. This year’s awards covered six categories, highlighting achievements in the use of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and the successful adaptation of national projects at local levels. A total of 10 Gold and 6 Silver awards were conferred.

Among this year’s notable Gold awardees are the Indian Bureau of Mines’ Mining Tenement System, the India Meteorological Department’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System, the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Digi Yatra project, and Madhya Pradesh’s Commercial Tax Department initiative SAMPADA 2.0. Recognitions also went to major institutions like the Ministry of Defence, the National Highways Authority of India, and the National Informatics Centre.

Gold Award winners receive ₹10 lakh, while Silver awardees receive ₹5 lakh, along with a trophy and certificate. These funds are intended to further support the awarded institutions in scaling their digital projects and addressing service delivery gaps.

The awards will be formally conferred at the 28th National Conference on e-Governance — an annual gathering of policymakers, technocrats, and innovators from across India to celebrate advancements in digital governance and deliberate on future strategies.

Expressing his pride and satisfaction, Keonjhar District Magistrate Shri Vishal Singh said, “It is a moment of immense pride and joy for Keonjhar district. Suakati Gram Panchayat receiving the Special Jury Award at the National e-Governance Awards is a testament to the transformative power of technology, even at the grassroots level. This recognition reaffirms our belief that effective governance, when backed by innovation and dedication, can truly uplift rural communities. I congratulate the entire team at Suakati for their vision, commitment, and hard work. This achievement will surely inspire other panchayats in the district and beyond to embrace digital governance for better service delivery.”