Minister of State for Rural Development, Pu Lalruatkima today presided over a Felicitation programme held at Aijal Club to felicitate National Awardees under RD Schemes given by the Ministry of Rural Development in December last year. A review meeting of all Schemes followed after the felicitation programme.

Pu Lalruatkima congratulated the all functionaries of the Department and remarked that the good team work of the Department last year resulted in 9 National Awards. He called upon all the officers present on the occasion to rededicate themselves to the cause of rural development and work with renewed vigour in the year ahead. Highlighting the importance of Panchayati Raj institutions in the developmental process in rural areas, he said the success of schemes and programmes of the government depend a lot on village institutions as they are the grass root implementing agencies. He pointed that the aspirations and hopes of people in rural areas are pinned on the Department and functionaries must take their work seriously, he added.

Rural Development Department, Secretary & Commissioner Pu Lalhmingthanga who chaired the meeting highlighted several issues in various Schemes.

The meeting reviewed all Schemes the Department is undertaking currently and shared success stories, best practices and hindrances to effective implementation.

The Rural Development Department bagged 9 National Awards in 6 categories awarded by Ministry of Rural Development for performance in 2019 which was awarded in December 2019. The Awards are : 2nd Rank in Shyama Prasad Mukherji Mission Rurban Mission (SSMRM) for Overall Performance (Small States/UTs); 1st Rank in Implementation of SECURE and Work Completion under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA); 3rd Rank in DISHA; 1st Rank in Financial Inclusion under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission; 1st Rank to Champhai District for MGNREGA Work Completion; Best Performing Gram Panchayat 3rd Rank to Khawpuar village. Beside this, Pu Robert Lalramchuana, VCP Khamrang and Pi Zirsangliani, VLAA Serchhip Block also bagged awards for ‘Individual Awards to Field Functionaries for Excellent Work’ under – Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G).