Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has announced the awards for the best performing panchayats in Kerala.
Sreekrishnapuram in Palakkad district has won the Swaraj Trophy for the top grama panchayat in the state. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. The second position, which brings the winner Rs 20 lakh, was secured by Mulanthuruthy panchayat in Ernakulam district, while Pappinissery in Kannur district was placed third, taking home Rs 15 lakh.
Among district panchayats, Pathanamthitta was placed at the top spot in the state, winning Rs 25 lakh. Ernakulam district panchayat took the second position, earning Rs 20 lakh.
Meanwhile, in the awards for best block panchayats, Lalam in Kottayam came first, winning Rs 25 lakh. Palluruthy block in Ernakulam was selected as the second best, earning Rs 20 lakh, followed by Pulikeezhu in Pathanamthitta which won Rs 15 lakh.
Winners of the Mahatma Awards for efficiency in implementing the employment guarantee scheme were also announced. Edamalakudy panchayat in Idukki won the top position, followed by Agali in Palakkad district and Meenangadi in Wayanad. Special awards for innovative and creditable performance in this category went to Eriyad panchayat in Thrissur district, Budhannoor in Alappuzha and Sasthamcotta, West Kallada and Mynagappally panchayats in Kollam.
The following were selected as the best panchayats in the respective districts:
Thiruvananthapuram – Vakkom
Kollam - Kunnathur
Pathanamthitta – Thumbamon
Alappuzha – Viyyapuram, Kumarapuram
Kottayam – Thikkoyi
Ernakulam – Mulanthuruthy
Thrissur – Vallathol Nagar
Palakkad – Sreekrishnapuram, Puthukode
Malappuram – Pulamanthole, Kodur
Kozhikode – Nadapuram
Wayanad – Kaniyambatta
Kannur – Pappinissery, Chembilode
Kasaragod – Cheruvathur
The district-level winners of the Mahatma Awards for employment guarantee scheme are:
Thiruvananthapuram – Keezhvillam, Mudakkal
Kollam – Neduvathur, Kummil
Alappuzha – Kodumthuruthu, Venmony
Kottayam – Mundakkayam, Melukavu
Idukki – Edamalakudy, Vattavada
Ernakulam – Elankunnapuzha, Nayarambalam
Thrissur – Nattika, Adat
Palakkad – Agali, Puthur
Malappuram – Athavanad, Niramaruthoor
Kozhikode – Mavoor, Madavur
Wayanad – Meenangadi, Noolpuzha
Kannur – Kathirur, Kolayad
Kasaragod – Madikai, Padanna