Odisha Shines with 7 National Panchayat Awards from President Murmu

Odisha has proudly secured seven prestigious awards under the National Panchayat Awards 2022-23, presented by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. This recognition showcases Odisha’s commitment to sustainable development and exemplary local governance.

Award-Winning Panchayats and Initiatives

1. Ganjam District:
   • Keluapalli Gram Panchayat (Rangeilunda block): Received the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for its remarkable progress in health initiatives, recognized as a “Healthy Gram Panchayat.”
   • Sahapur Gram Panchayat (Hinjili block): Secured the second position nationally for self-sufficiency, reflecting excellent grassroots governance.
2. Sundargarh District:
   • Kendrikela Panchayat (Bonaigarh block): Awarded the Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar for environmental conservation, earning a cash prize of Rs. 75 lakh.
   • Kasira Panchayat (Koida block): Secured the Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar, receiving Rs. 50 lakh for its achievements in promoting sustainable energy solutions.
3. Chatrapur Block:
   • Honored with the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for being the Best Block Panchayat, receiving a cash prize of Rs. 2 crore.
4. Koraput District:
   • Recognized as the Second-Best Zilla Parishad at the national level, earning Rs. 3 crore for its outstanding governance and developmental activities.
5. SIRD & PR, Odisha:
   • Secured the Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar, earning Rs. 75 lakh for its excellence in building panchayat capacity and governance.

Accolades and Impact

President Droupadi Murmu commended the awardees for enhancing women’s income opportunities, prioritizing healthcare for women and children, and focusing on water conservation and green energy solutions. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting a balance between development and environmental protection.

What the Leaders Say

S.K. Meena, Director of SIRD & PR, Odisha, emphasized, “With nearly 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats nationwide, Odisha securing seven awards is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our Panchayati Raj Institutions and officials.”