Berhampur: Pochilima in Ganjam district's Hinjili block has been adjudged the best performing panchayat in the state by achieving an A grade in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI). Six other panchayats in the district have also secured top rank in the state in the theme-wise best performing gram panchayats in the PAI, released by the ministry of panchayat raj recently.
Pochilima's Achievements
Having a total population of 5678, Pochilima panchayat achieved all indicators during its verification by a senior consultant from Bihar on March 12. No household in the panchayat has a kutcha house, there is no underweight child aged less than five years, the panchayat has prepared its disaster management plan, achieved significantly under different schemes, and all senior citizens received pensions under state specific social welfare schemes.
The panchayat has also achieved nil maternal and infant mortality and 100% ante-natal check up, all births attended by skilled health personnel and all children are immunised, said Sagarika Sarangi, block development officer (BDO) Hinjili.
Innovative Schemes
The panchayat has also taken up several innovative schemes like pisciculture in four ponds by SHGs in which 28 women members are engaged. They produced around 6.5 tonne of fish annually and earned Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 per member. Similarly 65 SHGs mobilized Rs 1.85-crore credit from banks through National Rural Livelihood Mission and Mission Shakti.
The panchayat has also provided free computer education to 70 poor students annually. It has rejuvenated 17 water bodies and set up the rainwater harvesting projects in 19 public buildings, she said.
Other Top Performing Panchayats
Other panchayats who performing best in theme wise under PAI are Sohapur in Hinjili block, which is poverty free and has enhanced livelihood, Ripur and Bhatakumurada in Purushottampur block are healthy and self-sufficient infrastructure panchayats respectively, Mandar in Polasara block has achieved social justice and is a secure panchayat, Turumu in Bhanjanagar block is known for good governance and Gudipadar in Patrapur block is a women-friendly panchayat.
Collector's Congratulations
Collector (Ganjam) V.Keerthi Vasan has congratulated the panchayats for their success at the national and state levels and said this could be achieved due to the public's cooperation.
