National Panchayat Awards 2024
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Why National Awards?
In 2022, the awards were revamped to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a focused approach called Localization of SDGs (LSDGs). This overhaul introduced a multi-level pyramid structure for the awards, incorporating evaluations at the Block, District, State/UT, and National levels.
Under this updated framework, Panchayats were ranked and recognized based on their performance across 9 thematic areas of sustainable development:
The National Panchayat Awards are usually celebrated on April 24th every year, in conjunction with National Panchayati Raj Day. This day commemorates the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into effect in 1993 and granted Panchayats constitutional status as institutions of local self-governance.
(The first National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated in 2010.)
1.94 lakh Gram Panchayats participated in the competition this year, with 42% of the 42 award-winning Panchayats led by women.
The National Panchayat Awards 2024 incorporate several innovative features, including:
- Multi-level Structure: The competition is conducted in a multi-level structure, with evaluation at the Block, District, State/UT, and National Levels.
- Transparent and Inclusive Evaluation: The awards recognize Panchayats’ performance in 9 thematic areas aligned with the Localization of SDGs, driving sustainable development at the grassroots level.
- Encouraging Best Practices: The awards aim to promote best practices, foster a spirit of competition, and motivate Panchayats to excel in delivering quality governance and services to rural communities.