The Hindu : Kerala News : Recognition for hard work and good performance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Recognition for hard work and good performance

The Swaraj Trophy award for Mangattidam in Kannur district for being the best grama panchayat of 2003-'04 has been given in recognition for the hard work and collective efforts of the panchayat body and staff in implementing projects over the last four years.

The successive recognition as best performing panchayat in the district during this period encouraged the panchayat members, staff and voluntary organisations to work harder, according to panchayat president M.K. Sudheer Kumar. Earlier, district-level recognition had inspired them in their efforts, he says.

During 2003-04, Mangattidam panchayat implemented projects worth Rs. 1.5 crores in various sectors. Effective utilisation of Plan funds during the period was a model for other panchayats. Utilisation of Plan funds and funds for Union Government-sponsored schemes recorded nearly 100 per cent achievement.

The panchayat is the pioneer in Bhavanasree project, implemented with the involvement of Kudumbasree and State Bank of Travancore. An estimated Rs. 60 lakhs has so far been utilised for the project and nearly 140 houses have been constructed. The panchayat, which earlier won a State-level award for Kudumbasree activities, has nearly 90 micro credit units.

The panchayat constructed 328 houses for homeless families over the last five years. Apart from housing projects, it also recorded achievement in vegetable cultivation with the involvement of Kudumbasree units.

Today, the panchayat is self-reliant as far as vegetable cultivation is concerned. It boasts of a 150-hectare area under vegetable cultivation.

It also has its own vermi-compost unit to supply compost for vegetable cultivation.

In 1999-2000, Mangattidam was adjudged the best grama panchayat in the district. It was bestowed the award for second-best panchayat in the district in 2000-01. In the next two years, the panchayat won the recognition as the best panchayat in the district.

With its selection as the best panchayat in the State, it would get a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs and an additional Plan allocation of Rs. 25 lakhs during the current year. The panchayat is planning to utilise this additional assistance for further development of Kudumbsree ventures and for housing schemes aimed at weaker sections.

Mohamed Nazeer

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Recognition for hard work and good performance