Wins e-puraskar of Union Ministry for third time in a row

PM to present award tomorrow in Lucknow

Mysuru: The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj of the State Government has scored a hat trick by winning the ‘e-puraskar award’ instituted by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj for 2015-16 also having won the previous two years too.

Disclosing this at a press meet at Abdul Nazeer Sab State Institute for Rural Development (ANSSIRD) on Lalitha Mahal Road here yesterday, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj H.K. Patil said that utilising Information and Communication Technology, a transparent and good governance was achieved through local bodies prompting the Union Ministry to bestow the ‘e-puraskar’ for the third time in a row. He added that the award would be presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, at a function organised as part of National Panchayat Divas.

Continuing, Patil said that 9,250 potable drinking water units have been established in rural areas in the State and instructions have been passed on to instal another 2,500 units. He further said that water was being supplied through tankers to 1,478 villages to combat drought. He pointed out that the State would be made open-defecation-free by December end as 71% of rural areas have been provided with personal toilets.

Patil, elaborating on the award, said that Kodagu district was selected for e-puraskar for Zilla Panchayat category along with Taluk Panchayats in Puttur, Sagar and Malige Village in Shivamogga district.

Department Principal Secretary Dr. N. Nagambika Devi was present at the press meet.