Padua Gram Panchayat under Champua Block in Keonjhar district has been conferred the prestigious Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar-2025 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, in the “Jal-Parayapta Panchayat” (Water-Sufficient Panchayat) category.
This national recognition honours the panchayat’s outstanding efforts in ensuring water security, efficient resource management, and active community participation at the grassroots level. According to the ministry, Padua has emerged as a strong model through effective implementation of decentralised planning, impactful water conservation measures, and integrated schemes that promote long-term sustainability.
The district administration of Keonjhar has congratulated the Padua Gram Panchayat team, local stakeholders, and Champua Block administration for their dedicated work. Officials highlighted the crucial role played by community ownership and active participation, which transformed Padua into an exemplary water-sufficient panchayat.
District Collector Vishal Singh praised the collective efforts, strong field-level leadership, and unwavering commitment to improving rural livelihoods. “This achievement not only brings pride to Champua Block but also sets a benchmark for other panchayats in the district to emulate best practices in sustainable development and natural resource management,” he said.
The success is expected to inspire wider adoption of proven models across Keonjhar, strengthening inclusive and sustainable rural development initiatives in the region.
