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NT Bureau
Chennai, Oct 2:

        A shot in the arm for village panchayats in getting a recognition for its developmental initiatives. The Tamilnadu government has selected 15 village panchayats for the 'Uttamar Gandhi Panchayat Award'.

        According to a press release. the award carries Rs five lakh cash, a certificate and a trophy. The awards would be presented by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi later.

        It may be noted that Local Administration Minister M K Stalin announced in the Assembly on 11 August last year about the award for the best village panchayats. Following which, the Rural Development and Local Administration Department issued an order on 5 September, 2006 with guidelines for selection of village panchayats.

        Based on the recommendations of the district level committees, the respective District Collectors forwarded a list of 124 village Panchayats to the Directorate of Rural Development. The list was short-listed by a committee comprising of Director and other officials.

        Of which, 15 village panchayats were selected after field visit, holding discussion with the panchayat representatives and the public by the team headed by the Director, Rural Development (training).

        The selected village panchayats included Odanthurai (Coimbatore), Thindal (Erode), Michealpattinam (Ramanathapuram), Nallukottai (Sivaganga), Kattupudur (Vellore), Chinnanur (Salem), Keezhathirupallakudi (Tiruvarur), Thikanakodu (Kaniyakumari), Valladi (Tiruchy), Lakshmipuram (Theni), Kadachanallur (Namakkal), Papanallur (Kancheepuram), M Kolakudi (Cuddalore), Jakampatti (Villupuram) and K Keeranoor (Dindigul).