Odisha has once again captured national attention by winning the prestigious National Panchayat Award for the 2023-24 cycle, marking the third consecutive year of this achievement.
This recognition showcases the state’s unwavering commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy and promoting inclusive development.
The National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated this year in Madhubani, Bihar, where the Prime Minister of India presented awards to the winning Panchayats and institutions.
Adding to this moment of pride, the State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PR), Odisha, was awarded the 2nd Prize in the “Panchayat Kshamata Nirman Sarbottam Sansthan Puraskar” category. This accolade recognises its excellence in capacity building, mentoring, and providing support to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) throughout the state.
Congratulations to the State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, #Odisha for securing Rank 2 in the Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar (PKNSSP) category!
This award honours institutions that play a pivotal role in enhancing the capacities of… pic.twitter.com/AmaFfwVtwV
— Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India (@mopr_goi) April 24, 2025
The model Gram Panchayat, Hatbhadra GP, located in the Kusumi Block of Mayurbhanj District, has also received national recognition as the 2nd Best Gram Panchayat in the “Atmanirbhar Gram Panchayat” category. This award celebrates its exceptional achievement in enhancing Own Source of Revenue (OSR), promoting self-sufficiency, and embracing financial sustainability at the grassroots level.
राष्ट्रीय पंचायत पुरस्कार 2025 के आत्मनिर्भर पंचायत विशेष पुरस्कार श्रेणी में द्वितीय स्थान प्राप्त करने पर हटबदरा ग्राम पंचायत, ब्लॉक कुसुमी, जिला मयूरभंज, ओडिशा को हार्दिक बधाई। स्थानीय संसाधनों के प्रभावी प्रबंधन, रोजगार सृजन, और सामुदायिक सहभागिता के माध्यम से हटबदरा ग्राम… pic.twitter.com/LZkc0Rn0Wr
— Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India (@mopr_goi) April 24, 2025
Congratulations to Hatbadra Gram Panchayat (Block Kusumi, District Mayurbhanj, Odisha) for securing Rank 2 in the Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award (ANPSA) category!
This category celebrates Panchayats that exemplify self-reliance through local resource generation,… pic.twitter.com/JoZ1aiXdil
— Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India (@mopr_goi) April 24, 2025
These honours stem from the consistent guided mentoring and technical support provided by SIRD&PR, which has facilitated the development of robust and participatory Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) across the state. SIRD&PR’s contributions include innovative training designs, consecutive capacity-building workshops, and ongoing follow-up mechanisms that have established a strong foundation of knowledge and practice among PRI functionaries. A noteworthy aspect of SIRD&PR’s efforts is its digital initiative through its unique portal (pmssird.odisha.gov.in), a comprehensive platform that features profiles of PRI members and officials, monitors committee meetings, tracks PESA Gram Sabha activities, maps GP infrastructure, follows ISO certification, and provides real-time field reports under “Champ by Action.”
These remarkable achievements have been made possible through the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the proactive guidance of the Minister for Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Rabi Narayan Naik, and the dedicated efforts of the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, along with steadfast institutional support from the Department.
Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister for Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, expressed his happiness, stating, “This national recognition for the third time in a row is a matter of immense pride for Odisha. I sincerely thank all the PRI members, officials, and the entire SIRD&PR team for their tireless efforts. It reflects our collective vision for empowered and self-reliant Gram Panchayats.”
“This award is not merely a recognition; it is a validation of Odisha’s grassroots governance revolution. Our commitment to empowering Panchayats through capacity building, digital innovation, and guided mentorship is yielding transformative results. We dedicate this achievement to every PRI member, official, and village community that made it possible,” said Surendra Kumar Meena, IAS, Director of SIRD&PR, Odisha.
With 7 national awards in 2022-23 (the highest monetary allocation to any state) and 8 awards in 2021-22, Odisha continues to lead by example in transforming Panchayati Raj into a vibrant, accountable, and self-reliant governance model.
