Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Odisha has added another feather to its cap in grassroots governance, with five panchayats from the state selected for the prestigious National Panchayat Awards 2025. The awards will be presented at a national ceremony in New Delhi on June 3, recognising excellence in rural development, sanitation, water conservation and social welfare initiatives. Among the biggest achievers is Ganjam district, which has been conferred with the coveted Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar–2025. The district secured the second position among district panchayats across the country and will receive a cash award of Rs 3 crore.
By winning the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar–2025 in the Healthy Panchayat category, Potalampur Panchayat under Chhatrapur block in Ganjam district has also brought honors to the state. For its efforts to advance communal welfare and public health, the panchayat will be awarded Rs 25 lakh. Padua Panchayat in the Keonjhar district was recognized for its achievements in sustainable resource management and water conservation under the Water-Sufficient Panchayat category. A monetary reward of Rs 50 lakh will be given to the panchayat.
In the Clean and Green Panchayat category, Hatibandha Panchayat in the Sundargarh district’s Lathikata block was chosen. For its accomplishments in environmental sustainability, cleanliness, and sanitation, the panchayat will get an award of Rs 37.5 lakh. In the meantime, Mandar Panchayat in Ganjam district’s Polasara block won awards in the Socially Just and Socially Secure Panchayat category. The panchayat’s commitment to social security and inclusive development will be rewarded with Rs 37.5 lakh.
