Jammu: In a major achievement for Jammu and Kashmir’s rural governance framework, Wagoora Gram Panchayat in Budgam district has secured the third position at the national level in the prestigious Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP) 2025 and received a cash award of Rs 25 lakh.
The award was conferred under the category “Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat” during the National Panchayat Awards ceremony held at the Scope Convention Centre in New Delhi. The award was presented by Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel to a delegation from Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
Wagoora emerged among the top Panchayats in the country after a rigorous evaluation process involving nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats. The recognition highlights the Panchayat’s achievements in inclusive governance, social justice, welfare delivery and sustainable rural development.
Officials attributed the success to sustained efforts by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department under the leadership of Minister Javid Ahmad Dar and Secretary Mohammad Aijaz Asad. Focused interventions aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions, improving grassroots governance and ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes played a key role in securing the national honour.
Unlike conventional award assessments, the evaluation process included an extensive field inspection by a team from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The team conducted on-ground verification of community assets, infrastructure and implementation of welfare programmes across multiple departments.
During the visit, officials inspected Anganwadi centres, healthcare facilities, self-help groups and MGNREGA assets. The assessment covered service delivery, infrastructure quality, beneficiary outreach and the effectiveness of various government schemes.
Located in B.K. Pora block of Budgam district, Wagoora has emerged as a model Panchayat through its focus on social inclusion and community participation. Serving a population of around 4,000 people, the Panchayat adopted the “Leave No One Behind” approach to ensure that welfare benefits reach all eligible residents.
Officials said Wagoora achieved 100 per cent coverage of eligible beneficiaries under social security pension schemes for senior citizens and widows through targeted awareness campaigns and Gram Sabha interventions.
The award is being seen as recognition of the collective efforts of elected Panchayat representatives, local communities and field-level officials in strengthening grassroots democracy and participatory development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Rs 25 lakh award amount will be utilised for further developmental works in the Panchayat, helping create additional infrastructure and welfare initiatives while setting a benchmark for rural local bodies across the Union Territory.
