TNI Bureau: Ganjam district has once again made Odisha proud by securing three prestigious national awards, including the distinction of being adjudged the Second Best District Panchayat in India under the Panchayat Sustainable Development Awards announced by the Government of India.

The district received the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Sustainable Development Award, while Mandar Gram Panchayat under Polsara Block was recognised as the Second Best Socially Just and Secure Panchayat in the country. Potlampur Gram Panchayat under Chatrapur Block secured the award for the Third Best Healthy Panchayat in India.

The awards were presented at a ceremony in New Delhi, where representatives of Ganjam district received the trophies, citations and incentive grants from the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj. Ganjam district received an incentive of Rs 3 crore, while Mandar and Potlampur Panchayats received Rs 37.50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively.

Receiving the awards on behalf of the district were Zilla Parishad Chairperson Anjali Swain, Collector V. Keerthi Vasan, Zilla Parishad CEO-cum-CDO Sameer Kumar Jena and other Panchayati Raj representatives and officials.

Collector Vasan credited the achievement to the collective efforts of public representatives, Panchayati Raj institutions, district administration, Self-Help Groups and the people of Ganjam. He said the recognition reflects the district’s excellence across key development indicators laid down by the Government of India and will inspire Panchayats to undertake more people-centric welfare initiatives.

The achievement has drawn widespread appreciation, with congratulatory messages pouring in from various quarters for Ganjam district and its award-winning Panchayats.