Bhubaneswar: Odisha has bagged first prize in the category of Best State in the 75th National Water Awards, 2023.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Patil announced the list of winners of the Awards at Shram Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday.
The minister announced 38 winners in 9 categories for the Awards. The awardees were selected by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD &GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Total 686 applications were received for the Awards. The applications were scrutinised and evaluated by a Jury Committee. The ground truthing of the shortlisted applications was carried out by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
The award distribution ceremony will be held at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on October 22. President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the event.
The categories are Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), and Best Civil Society.
In the category of Best State, the first prize went to Odisha while Uttar Pradesh secured and Gujarat and Puducherry jointly the third position.
Besides, Balangir of Odisha was adjudged Best District in East Zone, while Puri bagged the Best Urban Local Body Award and Khairbani Ashram School in Mayurbhanj was selected as Best School by the jury.