Alluri Sitarama Raju district wins national best performer award

In a significant achievement for tribal welfare, Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) District of Andhra Pradesh has been awarded the Best Performing District under the Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan (DAJA). The award was presented by Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, acknowledging the district’s exemplary efforts in implementing government welfare programs for tribal communities.

The Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, which translates to the “Earth Father People’s Participation Campaign,” is India’s largest tribal empowerment initiative. Named in honor of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a revered tribal leader and freedom fighter, DAJA focuses on saturating welfare schemes and services among tribal populations, particularly Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), through door-to-door outreach, benefit saturation camps, and last-mile delivery of entitlements.

ASR District distinguished itself through comprehensive, community-centric implementation. Key achievements include:

• Grassroots Rights and Entitlements: Ensuring delivery of ration cards, identity cards, pensions, and other welfare documents directly to tribal households.

• Financial Inclusion: Opening bank accounts for unbanked households, promoting digital banking, and improving financial literacy.

• Healthcare and Nutrition: Organizing health camps, immunization drives, and nutrition programs for tribal and PVTG communities.

• Livelihood Support: Facilitating income-generating schemes, skill development, and self-employment programs for tribal farmers and artisans.

• Digital Outreach and Awareness: Using mobile platforms and community campaigns to raise awareness of initiatives like PM-JGUA (Pradhan Mantri Jan Gyan and Utthan Abhiyan) and PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Jan Maanavadhikar Abhiyan).

The district’s efforts exemplify the “leaving no one behind” principle, ensuring that government schemes reach even the most remote and marginalized tribal populations. This success was achieved through coordinated efforts by the district administration, tribal welfare officers, local NGOs, and community leaders.

In 2025, the “Best Performing District” recognition has been awarded in different contexts across India:

• North Tripura – PM-JANMAN Mission

• Mahabubabad, Telangana – highest SSC pass rate (99.29%)

• Trivandrum – best performance in CBSE Class 10

• Bandipora – Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan

• Keonjhar, Odisha – certificate of recognition under DAJA

ASR District’s award highlights its leadership in tribal empowerment, setting a benchmark for inclusive governance. The recognition reinforces the government’s vision of ensuring equitable development, financial inclusion, health, education, and livelihood opportunities for all tribal communities.

Congratulations are due to the people of the district, the administration, and all stakeholders whose dedication and collective action made this achievement possible.