Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh continues to set benchmarks in governance with two of its distinguished IAS officers, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Srivastava and Bahraich District Magistrate Monika Rani, being awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2023.

Anurag Srivastava, a 1992-batch IAS officer and the Additional Chief Secretary of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, has been recognized under the ‘Innovation-State’ category for his initiative of integrating solar power into water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission. This project has transformed over 80% of the state’s water supply systems, making 33,157 out of 41,539 schemes solar-powered. The initiative not only generates 900 MW of electricity daily but also reduces operational costs by more than 50%, cuts carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 13 lakh metric tons annually, and promises long-term savings of Rs 1 lakh crore.

The innovation also emphasizes sustainability through community involvement, with 12.5 lakh rural individuals trained to manage and maintain these systems. Srivastava’s leadership has been lauded for reducing the environmental impact while ensuring cost-effective and sustainable water supply solutions.

Monika Rani, a 2010-batch IAS officer and District Magistrate of Bahraich, has been selected in the ‘Holistic Development of Districts’ category. Her leadership has propelled Bahraich, an aspirational district, toward remarkable development through initiatives such as the ‘Seva Se Santriptikaran Abhiyan’ (Saturation through Service Campaign) and the ‘Developed Bharat Sankalp Yatra’. These initiatives focused on delivering welfare schemes to underserved populations, time-bound grievance redressal, and empowering women through active community participation.

The Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, instituted by the Government of India, celebrates outstanding contributions by civil servants to innovation, governance, and public service delivery. The rigorous selection process includes evaluations by expert committees, field visits, and citizen feedback, ensuring the recognition of impactful and sustainable initiatives.

The awards will be conferred at a ceremony in New Delhi on April 10, 2025.

BI Bureau