District Collector Sumit Kumar addressed the media in Chittoor on Saturday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
District Collector Summit Kumar on Saturday (May 16, 2026) announced that three panchayats from the district have received national level recognition under the central government’s key schemes.
Speaking to the media, the Collector said the achievement reflected the district’s strong performance in local governance, capacity building and sustainable rural development initiatives.
Kuppam mandal secured the third position at the national level under the ‘Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025’ along with a prize of ₹1.5 crore. Chittoor District Panchayat Resource Center has achieved first place in India in the ‘Panchayat Capacity Building Institution Award 2026’ and won ₹1 million for its outstanding performance in training and institutional strengthening. Meanwhile, Kanipakam Gram Panchayat in Irala mandal secured the runner-up position under the ‘Atmanirbhar Panchayat Special Award 2026’ and received ₹75 lakh for exemplary work in local development and self-reliance initiatives, the Collector said.
Mr. Sumit Kumar said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu congratulated the district for its unique achievements towards agrarian upliftment through coordinated efforts of field level workers, elected representatives and district administration teams. “Chittoor district has continuously emerged as a model for effective implementation of rural development programs at the national level,” the Collector said.
Published – 16 May 2026 18:38 IST
