Assam secured three prestigious honours at the National Panchayat Awards 2025 announced by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, reflecting the State’s growing success in rural governance and sustainable development.

Key Highlights

• A total of 42 Panchayats from 17 States and Union Territories were selected for the awards.
• The awards recognise excellence in:
  • Rural governance.
  • Sustainable development.
  • Cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Infrastructure creation.
  • Community participation.
• The award ceremony will be held in New Delhi on June 3, 2025.

Major Achievements of Assam

• New Nopam Gaon Panchayat of Sonitpur district was declared the Best Village Panchayat in India under the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025.
  • It received a cash award of Rs 1.5 crore.
  • The Panchayat was recognised for:
    • Effective implementation of welfare schemes.
    • Improved sanitation and rural infrastructure.
    • Public participation and livelihood generation.
• Jummurmur Gaon Panchayat of Nagaon district secured second rank in the Clean and Green Panchayat category under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025.
  • It was recognised for cleanliness drives, waste management and environmental conservation initiatives.
• Hugrijan Gaon Panchayat of Dibrugarh district received recognition in the Self-Reliant Infrastructure category for promoting sustainable rural infrastructure and local economic development.

About the National Panchayat Awards

• The awards are organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj under the framework of the Panchayat Sustainable Development Goals (PSDGs).
• They encourage Panchayats to contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level.

Exam Hook – Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Panchayati Raj in India:

1. The Panchayati Raj system was given constitutional status through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
2. Gram Panchayats are institutions of urban local governance.
3. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj promotes Panchayat Sustainable Development Goals.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

One Line Wrap

• Assam’s success at the National Panchayat Awards highlights the growing strength of grassroots governance and sustainable rural development in the State.

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