In Kerala, there are 978 Grama Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats and 14 District Panchayats. In Urban area there are 60 municipalities and 5 Corporations. Panchayat Raj institutions and the Municipal Administration together constitute the Local Self Government System of Kerala. Government of Kerala has decided to grant special awards in the name of Swaraj Trophy and cash prize to Local Bodies for the outstanding performance in administration, revenue collection, planning, people’s participation, distribution of social security pension and so on. The constitution (73rd amendment ) Act,1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April 1993 has institutionalized Panchayat Raj through the village, intermediate and district level panchayts. This date thus marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grass root level. The impact of 73rd Amendment in rural India is very visible as it has changed power equations forever. Accordingly the government of India decided in consultation with the states to celebrate 24th April as National Panchayat Raj day. Up to 2012 the State Government celebrated February 19 as Panchayat Day to coincide with the birth anniversary of late Balwanthrai Mehta, proponent of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system and founder president of the All India Panchayat Parishad. From 2012 onwards it is decided to celebrate Feb 19th as Balwanthrai Mehta day and April 24th as the Panchayat day(Go MS 34/2012 dated 14.02.2012).In this function Kerala Government distribute the Swaraj Trophy and cash prize for the best local bodies. The practice of distributing a trophy and cash prize for best gramapanchayat started from 1995-96 onwards. In 1996-97 the trophy renamed as Swaraj trophy and from 1999-2000 onwards, the prize extents for the best district panchayat, block panchayat and municipalities.
Swaraj Trophy Winners