A.P. Panchayat Raj Department wins national award for second consecutive year

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has expressed happiness over the State’s Panchayat Raj Department being selected for the prestigious Deendayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas National Awards for the second consecutive year.

In a statement on X on Tuesday, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the achievement reflected the State’s consistent efforts towards strengthening grassroots governance and rural development.

He particularly lauded Bokkasam Palem village in Srikalahasti mandal of Tirupati district for securing the first position at the national level under the category of women-friendly panchayats.

Highlighting other notable achievements, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that the Sringavaram village panchayat in Visakhapatnam district secured the top rank in the governance category. Chemmullapalli village in YSR Kadapa district earned the second position nationally for its efforts in poverty alleviation and improving livelihoods at the village level.

Meanwhile, the Gundamala village panchayat in Prakasam district stood third among panchayats that achieved self-sufficiency in infrastructure development.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan also pointed out that Kuppam mandal, part of the constituency represented by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was selected as the third-best mandal at the national level.

Recalling the previous year’s success, he said the Panchayat Raj Department had won four national awards across different categories, underscoring the State’s sustained performance.

The Deputy Chief Minister congratulated the sarpanches, ward members, and officials of the respective villages for their outstanding efforts that led to national recognition. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh for acknowledging the State’s work in rural development.

“These awards have increased our responsibility. They stand as a testament to the coalition government’s commitment to holistic rural development under the leadership of the Chief Minister,” he observed.