THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Capital on the joy of winning the government's Swaraj Trophy for the year 2022-23 for the best district panchayat and the best corporation. The district panchayat has been awarded the award because it has successfully implemented many projects that can be modeled for the state.

The exemplary projects implemented in the financial years 2022-23 such as Patheyam, Vidyajyoti, Gotech, Gothrasarathi, Comprehensive Colony Development, New Life, Aswas, Snehadhara and Jwala by the district Panchayat are what fetched it the award. The District Panchayat has been awarded the Swaraj Trophy four times consecutively from 2017 to 2021. It has also received the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar, a national award for the best District Panchayat in 2017-18, 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The information about the award came to light yesterday when President D. Suresh Kumar was holding a press conference after presenting the district Panchayat Budget. The President responded that it was an unforgettable moment.

Mayor Arya Rajendran said that the award will inspire to implement development and welfare activities more strongly. This is the second time in a row that the corporation has received the award. The corporation was considered for the award mainly on the operational excellence of Haritha karma sena. Troops are collecting non-organic waste from 72% of households and establishments in the city. An average monthly income of Rs 22,000 per member also became an advantage.

The financial year 2022-23 which had the highest number of council meetings was also a factor. 35 council meetings including special meetings were held in the corporation even though the rule is that 24 council meetings should be held. Mayor Arya Rajendran and Deputy Mayor PK Raju informed that the implementation of central and state projects and allocation of funds were considered for the award.