Gram Panchayats to receive the 'Mukhyamantri Jagrit Gram Puraskar’ across two categories: HIRD Director Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan

Nilokheri, March 13, 2026: The objective of the 'Mukhyamantri Jagrit Gram Puraskar’ Scheme is to encourage exemplary work within Gram Panchayats and to foster a healthy spirit of competition in development; therefore, it is absolutely essential to maintain complete transparency and impartiality during the verification process. Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan, Director of the Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD), said this while addressing participants at a one-day training program organized at the institute. During the training session, various verification teams were provided with detailed information regarding the scheme's parameters and the transparent evaluation process.

Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan emphasized that there must be no form of pressure, favoritism, or bias during the verification process. The teams must evaluate the work of the Gram Panchayats with absolute honesty and impartiality, basing their assessment solely on the prescribed standards and the ground realities. He stressed the importance of keeping the entire verification process completely transparent. All facts, records, and documents must be scrutinized thoroughly, and the development works undertaken in the villages must be verified accurately based on their actual status.

Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan urged the verification teams to discharge their responsibilities with the utmost diligence. Each member must ensure that their evaluation is conducted with complete responsibility, honesty, and impartiality, thereby ensuring that the truly deserving Gram Panchayat receives its rightful recognition and honor.

The HIRD Director Dr. Chauhan further informed that, under the 'Mukhyamantri Jagrit Gram Puraskar’ scheme, awards will be presented to Gram Panchayats across two distinct categories. The first category will comprise Gram Panchayats with a population exceeding 5,000, while the second category will include those with a population of less than 5,000.

For Gram Panchayats with a population exceeding 5,000, the state-level awards will consist of a first prize of ₹51 lakh, a second prize of ₹31 lakh, and a third prize of ₹21 lakh. At the district level, the first prize of ₹31 lakh and the second prize of ₹21 lakh will be awarded; meanwhile, at the block level, a prize of ₹11 lakh will be presented. Furthermore, for Gram Panchayats with a population of less than 5,000, the state-level prizes have been set at ₹31 lakh for the first place, ₹21 lakh for the second place, and ₹11 lakh for the third place. At the district level, the first prize will be ₹21 lakh and the second prize ₹11 lakh, while at the block level, a prize of ₹5 lakh will be awarded.

Program Coordinator and Nodal Officer Sandeep Bhardwaj, HIRD faculty member Sushil Mehta, and others were present on the occasion.