Bhubaneswar, July 28, (OT Webdesk)— In a landmark initiative to strengthen grassroots governance, the Odisha Government has announced the State Panchayati Raj Awards with a total incentive of Rs 4 crore.
The awards will recognize outstanding contributions across three tiers of local administration — Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zilla Parishad.
Minister of Panchayati Raj, Rabi Narayan Naik, made the official declaration in Bhubaneswar, emphasising the government’s commitment to decentralised development and innovation in rural governance.
The awards aim to incentivise performance, encourage best practices, and spotlight transformative leadership at the local level.
This move is expected to energise local bodies across Odisha, with representatives now vying for recognition.
While the announcement has generated widespread interest, the eligibility and evaluation criteria are yet to be released by the department.
The initiative aligns with Odisha’s broader socio-economic goals and reflects the state’s push for inclusive, bottom-up development.
