Context

Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates 24^th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD). The National Panchayat Awards 2021 will also be conferred on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj day.

About

About the Panchayati Raj Day

• On this day, the 73^rdConstitutional Amendment, 1992 came into force.
  • 24^thApril, 1993 marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of power to the grassroots with the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj.
• Significance: It provides an opportunity for the direct dialogue between the Panchayat representatives from all over the country.
  • It also helps recognizing their achievements to empower and motivate them further.
• Recognition: Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been awarding the best performing Panchayats/States/UTs across the country every year.
  • It is done under the Incentivization of Panchayats to recognize good work for improving delivery of services and public goods.

National Panchayat Awards

• National Panchayat Awards have become a medium for creating awareness and sharing of knowledge across the country about the achievements of Panchayats.
• The National Panchayat Awards 2021 are being conferred under the following categories:
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar
  • Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar
  • Gram Panchayat Development Plan Award
  • Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award
  • e-Panchayat Puraskar
• Amount: The awards will carry money ranges from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.50 lakh.
• Real time: The amount will be transferred directly to the bank account of the Panchayats concerned in real time.
  • This time it is being done for the first time.