IAS officer Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner of Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, was today given Prime Minister's award for excellence in public administration.
Choudhary was given the honour for his initiative 'Jashn-e-Jamhuriat':Reasi celebrating democracy-- an election project for combating alienation and increasing inclusive electoral literacy and participation.
As a District Collector of Reasi, Choudhary launched the project to reach out to 3.35 lakh voters, convincing poll boycotters to participate in democratic exercise, identify differently-abled voters and facilitate their participation. The district had recorded a dismal 43 per cent turn out in 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
The results in the militancy infested district is a national record with turn out increasing from 43 to 81 per cent in 2014, an official document said.
Choudhary, a 2009 batch IAS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, was awarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function here. He got the award in individual category for 2013-14.
The award carries Rs 5 lakh in cash, gold medal and a citation.
