Glory for Odisha: Rayagada District Bags National JSJB Award for 2024

By Sayali Banerjee

New Delhi/Rayagada: In a significant achievement, Rayagada district of Odisha has been honoured with the National Jal Shakti Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Award 1.0 for 2024. The district was adjudged one of the best-performing districts in Category 3 (Eastern Zone), earning national recognition for its water conservation efforts.

Representing the district, Akshaya Kumar Khemundu, CDO-cum-EO, Zilla Parishad, Rayagada, and District Nodal Officer for JSJB, received the citation, trophy, and a cash award of ₹25 lakh from Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The event was graced by President of India Droupadi Murmu, who presented the National Water Awards 2024 to winners from across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Khemundu credited the achievement to the collective efforts of the Rayagada administration, particularly the engineers of the Panchayati Raj Department. He also acknowledged the contributions of officials from the Minor Irrigation, Forest, and Watershed departments in successfully implementing the JSJB 1.0 mission.

He noted that the central objective of JSJB is water conservation through community participation, with the Ministry of Jal Shakti promoting various innovative methods to augment and preserve water resources.

Rayagada Collector and District Magistrate Asutosh Kulkarni congratulated the entire team for bringing national recognition to the district. He urged officials to continue their dedicated efforts in JSJB 2.0 and other developmental initiatives to secure more laurels in the future.