Odisha’s Ganjam ZP & Hinjili Block Bag National Panchayat Awards 2022

Berhampur: The Zilla Parishad (ZP) and Hinjilicut block of Odisha’s Ganjam district have bagged Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikash Puraskar for performance of panchayats.

Both ZP and block secured first position in the country in the category of the award. Besides, 6 other gram panchayats (GPs) have received the national award under various themes. In all, Odisha has bagged 8 awards under National Panchayat Awards 2022.

Ganjam ZP will receive Rs 5 crore as part of the award, while Hinjilicut block will get Rs 2 crore and the GPs Rs 50-75 lakh as prize money. The awards will be presented by the President at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 17, according to the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water department.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are mandated for functioning as effective and efficient institutions for local self governance in rural areas. They also play a significant role in effective implementation of flagship schemes. In the context of commitment to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, 3 tier PRIs play an important role.

In order to recognise the good work being done by PRIs and encourage them to perform better, the award scheme has been instituted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Under this scheme, National Panchayat Awards are given to the best performing panchayats (Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats) in recognition of their contribution towards improving delivery of services and public goods.

The performance focuses on 9 themes under localisation of SDGs (LSDGs) for achieving the SDG goals by 2030. The LSDG themes include poverty-free and enhanced livelihood, health, child friendly, water sufficient, clean and green panchayat, self-sufficient infrastructure, socially secured, good governance and women-friendly. In addition, Special Category Awards for carbon neutral and Gram Urja Swaraj Puraskaar for panchayats were also instituted.

Participation by all the PRIs was mandatory this year. After a detailed evaluation based on 113 parameters under 9 themes of LSDGs as well as field verification the awards were finalised.