The Ministry of
Rural Development organized an Award function on 19th June, 2017.
The Programme showcased achievements under different programmes implemented by
the Ministry of Rural Development. States, Institutions and Government
Functionaries, who have done commendable work under different schemes were
awarded in the function. Short films on Water Conservation under Geo-MGNREGA,
Construction of houses under Pradhan Mantri Aawaas Yojana of Jadia Bai, a 100
year old tribal women of Madhya Pradesh and an audio visual song on PMGSY which
was sung by Shan were also shown. A Citizen centric mobile application
on MGNREGA capable of providing information on different aspects of GNREGA Programme
was launched by the Minister for Rural Development. The Department of Rural
Development extensively uses Information and Space Technology in its programme
management and the “Jan-MGNREGA” App is a third such citizen centric initiative
of the department after “Meri Sadak” and “Aawas” mobile app.
Total of 144 Awards were
given under different programmes. Awards on Sustainable Livelihood,
Transparency and Accountability, Aadhaar Seeding, Conversion and Geo-MGNREGA
were given under MGNREGA. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, awards were
given to States for highest amount of rural roads (Bihar) and use of Non
conventional construction material (Madhya Pradesh). Haryana, Gujarat and
Karnataka received a special prize for completing more than 95 percent of PMGSY
(Phase I &II) targets. Under PMAY-G Awards were given to States which
performed well on different parameters, Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee
which provided technical vetting of housing typologies, NIC team of the
Department of Rural Development for technical support and Dr. Prabir Kumar Das,
Senior citizen, Advisor, UNDP for significant contribution in use of innovative
technologies. 9 District Collectors who have completed largest number of PMAY-G
houses were also awarded, the significant part being 5 of the 9 District
Collectors coming from Odisha.
Awards were given to National Resource
Organizations, State Rural Livelihood Missions and Punjab National Bank, State
Bank of India, Allahabad Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Central Bank of
India and ICICI Bank. The States which received awards were Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Kerala, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Bihar, Karnataka and West Bengal under different categories. Under skill
development category the best performing States, best champion employers and
best training partners, received the awards.
There was also a presentation on the key
findings of evaluation of National Rural Livelihood Mission carried out by
Indian Institute of Rural Management, Anand. Evaluation report had highlighted
the main strength of the programme and has given many suggestions for
strengthening and expansion of the programme across the country.
The Minister of State for Rural
Development, Shri Ram Kripal Yadav, complimented the award winners and
highlighted the role of institutional partnerships in successful implementation
of rural development programmes. The Minister for Rural Development, Shri
Narendra Singh Tomar congratulated the award winners. He highlighted the major
transformation that was brought by the Government in programme execution. He indicated
that the Government has completed restructure MGNREGA. The investments are
channelized for Water harvesting, Water Conservation and Agricultural and
Allied activities to strengthen resource base of the rural poor. Targets under
PMAY–G and PMGSY have been set for 2019 and the Government is fully committed
to provide financial support to the States to achieve these targets. He also
highlighted the use of Information Technology and Space Technology in programme
monitoring and in obtaining citizens feedback through mobile applications.
Shri Tomar, mentioned employment generation under different programmes of the
department, especially the skilling of rural youth and skilled employment
opportunities being created for them. He also highlighted challenges that
people faced in rural areas and exhorted the State Governments, Officials and
other Stake Holders to work together to overcome these challenges and provide a
better deal to people.
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SNC