Bhubaneswar : In a landmark initiative to promote transparency, accountability, and grassroots development, the Odisha Government has unveiled the State Panchayat Awards, promising financial rewards up to ₹25 lakh for the best-performing rural bodies.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the awards aim to motivate public representatives and officials engaged in strengthening the panchayati raj system. A total prize pool of ₹4 crore has been earmarked under the scheme.
“This initiative is designed to recognize and reward excellence in governance at the grassroots level. We want to encourage efficiency, transparency, and innovation in the rural administration system,” said Minister Naik.
The award scheme will operate at three levels — Block, District, and State, with graded prize money to acknowledge outstanding performance:
District-Level Gram Panchayats
- 1st Prize: ₹25 lakh
- 2nd Prize: ₹20 lakh
- 3rd Prize: ₹15 lakh
Block-Level Awards
- 1st Prize: ₹15 lakh
- 2nd Prize: ₹10 lakh
- 3rd Prize: ₹5 lakh
An additional category at the district level will award ₹3 lakh, ₹2 lakh, and ₹1 lakh to three other commendable Gram Panchayats.
State-Level Recognition will go to the best-performing Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis, while all participants will be awarded certificates of appreciation.
Best District Panchayat Resource Centres (DPRCs) will also be recognized:
- 1st Prize: ₹9 lakh
- 2nd Prize: ₹6 lakh
- 3rd Prize: ₹5 lakh
Panchayats will be assessed across nine performance indicators, including:
- MGNREGA execution
- Sanitation and waste management
- Jal Jeevan Mission coverage
- Good governance practices
- Skill development programs
- Rural income enhancement
- Women’s participation
- Online audits
- Utilization of GPDP, CFC, and SFC funds
To qualify for awards, Panchayats must demonstrate effective implementation of schemes related to road construction, drinking water supply, healthcare, digital integration, women and child welfare, and village infrastructure development, including Anganwadi centers and sports facilities.
The Minister stressed that the selection process would remain transparent, data-driven, and inclusive, ensuring fair competition across Odisha’s 6,798 Gram Panchayats.
“Every Panchayat must now focus on all-round progress — not just infrastructure but community empowerment as well,” he added.
This ambitious initiative is expected to foster a culture of healthy competition, leading to sustainable development in rural Odisha while setting new benchmarks for local self-governance.
