Bhubaneswar/Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the National Panchayat Awards 2024 ceremony on 11 December at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The awards, organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, recognize excellence in various categories, encouraging sustainable and inclusive development across the nation’s Panchayati Raj institutions.
Odisha will be honored in seven categories, with recognition for two panchayats from Ganjam and Sundargarh districts. Chhatrapur block has been selected as the Best Block Panchayat, while Koraput has been nominated for the Best District Panchayat Award. Odisha’s State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has also achieved the second position nationally as the Best Panchayat Capacity Building Institution.
Key awards include:
“Deendayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sustainable Development Award”: Kelua Palli Panchayat, Ganjam, and Sahapur Panchayat, Hinjilicut Block, Ganjam, each awarded Rs75 lakh.
“Special Panchayat Awards”: Kendrikela Panchayat, Sundargarh, and Kasira Panchayat, Sundargarh, receiving Rs75 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, respectively.
“Best Block Panchayat Award”: Chhatrapur Block, awarded Rs 2crore.
“Best District Panchayat Award”: Koraput District, receiving Rs 3crore.
Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Rajeev Ranjan Singh will launch a booklet titled “Best Practices of Award-Winning Panchayats,” documenting the innovative initiatives and impact of the recognized institutions. The ceremony will also include a digital transfer of prize money to the awardees.
President Murmu’s address is expected to inspire efforts toward excellence in decentralized governance. The event will showcase the significant role of Panchayati Raj institutions in areas such as poverty alleviation, health, child welfare, water conservation, and women’s empowerment, emphasizing their contributions to India’s rural development.
