Babus to get awards for implementation of PM Modi's pet schemes

New Delhi: Bureaucrats from both the Centre and states will be conferred Prime Minister's award for excellence in implementing NDA government's priority programmes like 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana'.

The awards will be presented to the officers on April 21, observed as Civil Services' Day, for their contribution to effective implementation of the government's key initiatives.

The central government usually gives away "Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration" on the Civil Services Day.

The award, which carries a citation and cash prize, is to recognise and reward the extraordinary and innovative works done by officers of the central and state governments. All officers of central and state governments, individually or as a group or as organisations are eligible for consideration.

However, from this year onwards, the civil servants will get Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Implementation of Priority Programme--Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin), Swachh Vidyalaya, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Soil Health Card.

Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh said it is necessary to encourage bureaucrats doing good work as the effective implementation of the government's key initiatives by them is essential for good governance.

"All programmes like Clean India Mission, especially for rural areas, Jan Dhan Yojana for financial inclusion and Clean Schools are very important to ensure welfare of common people and country. That is why bureaucrats are being encouraged to ensure their effective implementation and their good work can be awarded. Their way of implementing these programmes can also act as guidance for other states and union territories to implement other pro-people measures," he told PTI.

Singh said the government is taking various measures to ensure maximum governance. "We are encouraging bureaucrats to try innovative ideas by use of information technology to ensure that benefits of social welfare schemes and other economic measures reach even poorest of the poor man," the Minister said.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin) is to bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas, by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation in rural areas.

Whereas, Swachh Vidyalaya mission is aimed at ensuring separate toilets in every school for boys and girls. The objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is to provide weaker sections and low income groups access to various financial services like savings bank account, need based credit, remittances facility, insurance and pension.

The Soil Health Card scheme is meant to give each farmer the soil nutrient status of his holding and advise him on the dosage of fertilisers, besides information on soil modification for long-term improved soil health.