Gujarat agency bags Commonwealth award

Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), the state government's nodal agency for handling natural disasters, has bagged the prestigious Gold Award for Innovation in Governance.

The award, announced on Wednesday in Singapore, is instituted by Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM).

The biennial international award instituted in 1998, promotes new initiatives in government reform throughout the Commonwealth.

Addressing a hurriedly convened media meet on Thursday afternoon, chief minister Narendra Modi, said, "This award also recognises transparency in state government as GSDMA has bagged the award after a stiff competition posed by other 156 entries from various Commonwealth countries. Reconstruction of earthquake-hit Gujarat was launched through GSDMA and the entry filed by GSDMA was shortlisted as one of the 14 finalists. There were entries from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra."