Every year on April 24, we celebrate National Panchayati Raj Day in India. This day commemorates the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993 and decentralization and local self-governance, a system that gives more power to rural communities in India.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) leads this programme which aims to make Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) strong in India. Their aim is to empower, enable and fix accountability and responsibility in these institutions. This promotes complete development, social justice, as well as better service delivery in rural India.<\/p>\n
A stronger local self-governance system encourages self-reliability in rural sectors of India. It helps in social, economic and cultural change that collectively transforms the lives of the people living in rural India.<\/p>\n
Since 2011, MoPR has recognized well-performing Panchayats which are nominated by state governments across the country. During Panchayati Raj Day, loads of awards are presented:<\/p>\n
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP): This award acknowledges excellence across various Panchayat levels (District, Intermediate, and Gram Panchayat). It honours PRIs for their outstanding service and public good delivery.<\/p>\n
There are nine categories for Gram Panchayats (GPs):<\/p>\n
Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP): This award honours Gram Panchayats who mainly contribute to socio-economic development through active Gram Sabha (village council) contribution.<\/p>\n
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award: This award aims to honour Gram Panchayats that have created excellent GPDPs by complying with state\/UT guidelines associated with MoPR’s model guidelines.<\/p>\n
Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat Award: This award aims to honour Gram Panchayats that have put into effect commendable child-friendly practices in rural areas.<\/p>\n