Kollam district in Kerala has been awarded the Swaraj Trophy for the Best District Panchayat in India for the year 2021-22. The award was presented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in recognition of the district’s outstanding performance in implementing rural development programs and initiatives.
The Swaraj Trophy is a prestigious national award that recognizes the achievements of the best-performing panchayats in the country. The award is presented every year to the best district, intermediate, and village panchayats in India. The selection criteria for the award are based on the performance of the panchayats in implementing various government schemes and programs, including rural electrification, sanitation, and water supply.
Kollam district won the Swaraj Trophy for its exceptional performance in implementing rural development programs, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The district has also made significant progress in providing basic amenities to its citizens, including safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and electricity.
Kollam district has been a pioneer in implementing innovative programs and initiatives for rural development. The district’s e-governance initiatives have been widely lauded for their effectiveness in improving service delivery and citizen participation. The district has also implemented a number of community-driven programs, including the Kudumbashree Mission, which aims to empower women by providing them with skills training and income-generating opportunities.
The Swaraj Trophy is a recognition of the district’s tireless efforts in improving the quality of life of its citizens. The award will serve as an inspiration to other districts across India to emulate Kollam’s success in implementing effective rural development programs.
Tirurangadi was named the greatest municipality, with Wadakkanchery and Sulthan Bathery coming in second and third.
The Mahatma award was given to the Kallikkad grama panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram for the finest implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Plan (MGNREGS).
The Mahatma Ayyankali Award was given to the Kollam Corporation for the execution of the Ayyankali Urban Job Guarantee Plan (AUEGS).