LUCKNOW: Three Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers from Uttar Pradesh have been conferred with the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration on the occasion of the 17th Civil Services Day, celebrated in New Delhi on Tuesday. The prestigious recognition highlights innovative governance and effective implementation of public welfare schemes.
Those awarded include Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Srivastava, Bahraich District Magistrate Monika Rani, and Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Singh—each honored for exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Anurag Srivastava: Driving Solar-Powered Change in Rural Water Supply
A 1992-batch officer, Anurag Srivastava was recognised for his leadership in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Uttar Pradesh, particularly for integrating solar power on a large scale. As head of the Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, Srivastava spearheaded efforts that made UP the first state to extensively harness solar energy for rural water systems.
Under his leadership, over 80% of the 41,539 water supply projects now operate on solar power, generating nearly 900 MW of electricity daily, and cutting costs by more than 50%. The transition has also reduced reliance on traditional electricity grids, ensuring more sustainable and uninterrupted water access in remote areas.
“I am overwhelmed. This award brings not only pride but also the responsibility to deliver with precision and full accountability,” Srivastava said following the ceremony.
Monika Rani: Bridging Gaps in Aspirational Bahraich
Bahraich DM Monika Rani, a 2010-batch officer, was honored for her dynamic leadership in transforming Bahraich, an aspirational district, through the innovative ‘Sewa se Santushtikaran’ (Saturation through Service) campaign. The initiative brought over 40 essential services from 25 departments to underserved communities via integrated service camps held simultaneously across 10–15 villages.
“We aimed to ensure that no citizen is left behind simply due to lack of awareness or documentation,” Rani said. “Real-time service delivery and on-the-spot updates helped bridge critical gaps.”
She emphasized that the campaign improved administrative coordination and boosted public trust, adding, “This award belongs to the people of Bahraich, our officials, and the representatives who made this vision a reality.”
Anuj Singh: Making Libraries Accessible in Moradabad
Moradabad DM Anuj Singh, a 2013-batch officer, received the award under the ‘Innovation-District’ category for his groundbreaking initiative, Sugamya Pustakalaya, which established inclusive libraries and resource centres for differently-abled children.
Started nearly two years ago, the programme now operates four centers, one in each tehsil, equipped with Braille books, large-font materials, and other specialized learning tools. With over 4,500 differently-abled students registered across 1,100 schools in the district—but only 45 special educators—the centres fill a critical gap in inclusive education.
“This is a proud moment for Moradabad. Our vision was to build equal learning opportunities for every child,” Singh said, acknowledging the efforts of the education department and the guidance of Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh.
Chief Development Officer Sumit Yadav, who was closely involved in the project, added that the initiative went through multiple layers of evaluation, including field verification by a directorate-level panel. “We hope this model inspires similar efforts across the state,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration is among the highest honors for civil servants in India, awarded to individuals and teams demonstrating outstanding governance under key priority programmes of the Central Government.
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