Gujarat Govt wins UN public service award

The Gujarat government's statewide Attention on Grievances with Application of Technology (SWAGAT) programme has won United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA).

The SWAGAT initiative of the state government has been awarded second place in the category 'Improving Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Public Service' by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs which facilitates the search for innovations in governance and public administration, an official statement said in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas said the UNPSA recognizes creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public service administration in countries of the world.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said, "People's voice is the key driver of a democracy, and listening to that voice is the key test of good governance".

"The award comes as a result of the hard work of the administration at all levels -- state, district and taluka. Winning the 2010 UNPSA has rewarded the dedication of all the administration who have invested in the project," he added.

According to the statement, this is the second time in two years that Gujarat has won a UNPSA.