Bhubaneswar: Odisha has made a remarkable mark on the national stage by securing seven prestigious awards in 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.
The awards recognized the outstanding performance of various Panchayati Raj Institutions across the state. Among the notable winners were the Keluapalli Gram Panchayat of Rangeilunda block and the Sahapur Gram Panchayat of Hinjili block in Ganjam district. Keluapalli received the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for being a Healthy Gram Panchayat, while Sahapur was honored for its remarkable self-sufficiency.
Sundargarh district also gained recognition, with Kendrikela Panchayat in Bonaigarh block securing the second prize in the Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar category. Additionally, Kasira Panchayat of Koida block was awarded under the Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar category for its achievements in sustainable energy practices.
The State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD & PR) brought further laurels to the state by securing second place nationally as the Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar. Chatrapur block in Ganjam district was awarded the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for being the Best Block Panchayat.
Koraput district added to the achievements by being recognized as the second-best Zilla Parishad at the national level. In total, Odisha received Rs 8.5 crore across these categories, highlighting the state’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
President Droupadi Murmu commended the efforts of the awardees, emphasizing their significant contributions to enhancing income opportunities for women, prioritizing health and well-being, and promoting sustainable practices such as water conservation and green energy.
These accolades underscore Odisha’s dedication to fostering development at the grassroots level and its continued efforts to improve the quality of life for its residents.
