Shiraguppi bags model village national award

The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and it will be presented to the Shiraguppi gram panchayat, Jagadish Shettar, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, told media persons here on Saturday.

“The gram panchayat president of Shiraguppi village will receive the award from the the prime minister in New Delhi on April 24,” the minister said.

Stating that the award was presented to Shiraguppi gram panchayat for its effort in implementing government schemes and providing infrastructure to the people, Shettar said the village had all civic amenities like underground drainage system and good drinking water facility. “I had the chance to visit the village three months ago. It is indeed a model village,” he said.

Shettar said the village topped in sanitation, as every house had a toilet, unlike  many villages where people defecated in the open. “The village has a well-planned drainage system and roads,” he said.

He said the villagers had ensured that all the government schemes were implemented without any misuse.

Shettar said the people of Shiraguppi in Kagvaad Constituency had utilised every bit of the funds allocated by the government to provide water and ensure water sources for the residents.

“Not only the government funds, they have also utilised the MP and MLA funds besides generating their own resources,” the minister said.

Scheme like the MGNREGS have been implemented to their fullest capacity.  “This is the best example of how good elected representatives and people can make a difference when they work together with a good intention,” Shettar said.

Regarding the process of selection of the village as a model, Shettar said a team of officials designated by the Union government had visited Shiraguppi to study its achievements several months ago.