TV
Odisha has made its mark on the national stage by securing seven prestigious awards under the National Panchayat Awards 2022-23. The awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu during a grand ceremony organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.
These accolades recognized the outstanding performance of 45 Panchayati Raj Institutions across 15 categories.
In Ganjam district, Keluapalli Gram Panchayat of Rangeilunda block received the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for being a Healthy Gram Panchayat. Sahapur Gram Panchayat of Hinjili block achieved second place nationally for its remarkable self-sufficiency.
National Panchayat Awardee Bandana Pradhan expressed her pride, stating, "Our Sahapur Panchayat in the Hinjili Block of Ganjam District was honoured at the national level by President Droupadi Murmu for achieving self-sufficiency. This recognition fills us with immense pride for our village and community. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of our block and especially to our BDO, whose support has been instrumental in this achievement."
Sundargarh district also gained recognition, with Kendrikela Panchayat in Bonaigarh block securing the second prize in the Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar category, receiving Rs 75 lakh cash award. Kasira Panchayat of Koida block was awarded Rs 50 lakh under the Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar category for achieving third place nationally.
The State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD & PR) brought laurels to the state by securing second place nationally as the Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar, earning Rs 75 lakh. Odisha’s Chatrapur block was awarded the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for being the Best Block Panchayat, receiving a cash prize of Rs 2 crore.
Koraput district added to the achievements by being recognized as the second-best Zilla Parishad at the national level, earning Rs 3 crore. In total, Odisha received Rs 8.5 crore across seven categories, gaining national acclaim.
President Droupadi Murmu commended the efforts of the awardees, saying, "It is a matter of great pride that the awarded Panchayats have significantly enhanced income opportunities for women while prioritizing the health and well-being of women and children. Their remarkable efforts in water conservation, environmental protection, and the promotion of solar and green energy demonstrate a commendable commitment to sustainable practices. Such initiatives are instrumental in advancing our development goals."
S.K. Meena, Director of SIRD and PR, Odisha, highlighted the significance of the achievement and said, "With approximately 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats at the national level, securing seven awards is a matter of immense pride for us. This achievement reflects the dedicated teamwork of our PRIs and officials across all levels. Our current minister has been actively involved and, upon learning of these awards and our performance, encouraged us to strive even harder to double the recognition in the future."
These awards, based on nine thematic areas aligned with the localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflect Odisha's commitment to sustainable development and effective governance.
