The government of India has reported that 702 districts have registered and participated in the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for 2020. This award, an initiative of the Indian government, recognizes and rewards the exceptional work carried out by districts and governmental organizations both at central and state levels. The awards were conferred by the Prime Minister on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas – 31st October 2020 at the Statue of Unity, Gujarat.
Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration: An Overview
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration were first constituted in 2006. The main objective of these awards is to acknowledge, recognize, and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by districts and organizations of the Central and State Governments. The award comprises a trophy, a scroll, and a monetary incentive of Rs. 10 lakh. The winning district or organization can utilize this amount for implementing a project or programme or for bridging resource gaps in any area of public welfare.
Restructuring of the Award Program
The award program underwent restructuring in 2014 with the specific aim of recognizing the performance of District Collectors in Priority Programs, Innovation, and Aspirational Districts. A further restructuring was carried out in 2020 to acknowledge the significant contributions of civil servants in various domains. These include enhancing inclusive development through credit flow to the priority sector, promoting people’s participation through the Swachh Bharat Mission at the district level, improving service delivery, and addressing public grievances more effectively.
Focus on Namami Gange Program and Economic Development
The 2020 restructuring also sought to recognize the efforts of district-level officials involved in the Namami Gange Program. Additionally, it aimed at acknowledging the role of District Collectors in promoting the economic development of their respective districts.
Revamp of Aspirational Districts Program Award
The award associated with the Aspirational Districts Program has seen a significant revamp. Now, this award is conferred on the district that shows the best overall progress under the scheme over a span of two years of its implementation.
Expansion of the Awards’ Scope
Post-restructuring, the scope of the awards has broadened significantly. It now identifies areas of comprehensive outcome-oriented performance in districts across several sectors. Essentially, it strives to recognize the crucial role of districts in implementing and managing governmental projects and programs effectively.
This 2020 event marks the involvement of 702 districts from all over India, demonstrating their enthusiasm towards enhancing the public administration within their regions. All these details have been reported by PIB.
