Himachal Pradesh Maharishi Valmiki Sampoorn Swachata Puraskar

Himachal Pradesh Maharishi Valmiki Sampoorn Swachata Puraskar is a state sanitation reward scheme that encourages rural development by honoring the cleanest Gram Panchayats with cash prizes up to ₹10 lakh to promote hygiene in villages. The scheme keeps running under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) of the Rural Development Department, and the state government has brought out revised guidelines to push villages toward the ODF Plus model.

Himachal Pradesh Maharishi Valmiki Sampoorn Swachata Puraskar - Introduction

Himachal Pradesh Maharishi Valmiki Sampoorn Swachata Puraskar is a well known scheme of the Rural Development Department, working under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen). It picks out and rewards the cleanest Gram Panchayats at block, district, division and state levels through an annual competition. The state government revised the rules in May 2025 so that the focus now falls on ODF Plus model villages, where villages keep their ODF status and also manage solid and liquid waste properly.

Evaluation teams look at how well a panchayat keeps public places clean, how it handles waste, how much the community takes part, and what new ideas it brings in. Winners are honored by top government dignitaries at official state functions. This recognition turns cleanliness into a goal every local body wants to reach.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme rewards good hygiene work with cash prizes so that villages can improve their infrastructure further. The prize money is fixed as per the level of the award.

At the district level, if a district has more than 300 Gram Panchayats, two winners can get the award of ₹3 lakh each. At the block level one panchayat per block gets the prize, and at division and state level one panchayat each is chosen.

Eligibility

To take part, a village unit must keep its open defecation free (ODF) status and work toward becoming an ODF Plus model village. The revised guidelines put weight on effective sanitation work, clean public places, good waste management, community participation and new ideas. If a Gram Panchayat has won at a particular level, it should wait for three years before competing at that same level again, but it can still try for higher level awards in between.

Exclusions

Panchayats that have not kept their ODF status cannot enter the competition. Previous winners are not allowed to compete at the same level for three years after their win, so that other villages also get a fair chance. For example, if a village wins a block level award, it should work on district level improvements for the next three years before entering the block competition again.

Application Process

These are the steps a Gram Panchayat should follow to join the competition.

STEP 1 - Pass a formal resolution in the Gram Panchayat meeting stating the intent to join the sanitation competition.

STEP 2 - Fill out the official application form and get it attested by the Head of the Gram Panchayat and three members.

STEP 3 - Send the filled documents to the Block Development Officer (BDO) before the last date fixed by the department. Under the revised guidelines for the last cycle, block level applications were accepted till 30 June.

STEP 4 - The BDO checks the application and forwards it to the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).

STEP 5 - Assessment committees at block, district, division and state levels visit the villages, grade them on a scoring pattern, and pick the winners. Winners are announced at different dates for each level.

Documents

Keep the following papers ready while applying.

• Gram Panchayat Resolution copy that records the decision to take part.
• Completed Application Form with original signatures.
• ODF Certificate or proof that the village has kept its open defecation free status.
• Contact Details of the Gram Panchayat head and team members.
• Evidence like photographs, sanitation reports or community testimonials that show the village has kept public places clean and managed waste well.

Highlights

References

Himachal Pradesh Government Official Portal

Press Release on Maharishi Valmiki Sampoorn Swachata Puraskar

Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Official Website

FAQ's

What is the purpose of this scheme?

The scheme encourages and rewards rural communities that keep up high standards of sanitation and cleanliness, and it now focuses on reaching the ODF Plus model village status.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any Gram Panchayat that has kept its open defecation free status and works toward cleaner public places and better waste management can apply.

Can a previous winner apply again?

Winners cannot compete at the same level for three years, but they can try for higher levels or wait three years to re-enter at the same level.

How are winners decided?

Assessment committees at block, district, division and state levels visit the villages and grade them on a scoring pattern based on cleanliness, waste management and community participation.

When are the awards usually given?

Winners are usually honored during state functions such as the Independence Day celebrations, with different levels announced on separate dates.

Who should I contact for more info?

Contact the local Block Development Office for the latest submission dates and details for the current cycle.