Latest news with #SKOCHAwards
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
MEPMA bags 9 SKOCH Platinum Awards for initiatives to end poverty
VIJAYAWADA: The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), under the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has achieved national recognition by winning nine SKOCH Platinum Awards for its exemplary work in urban poverty alleviation. The SKOCH Awards, among India's most prestigious independent honours, acknowledged MEPMA's innovative, inclusive, and impactful initiatives that have significantly improved the lives of vulnerable urban communities. Of the 14 projects submitted by MEPMA, nine were selected for Platinum honours following a rigorous evaluation process comprising peer review, board assessment, public voting, and expert panel scrutiny. The recognition is seen as a milestone in Andhra Pradesh's commitment to inclusive urban development, especially in empowering self-help groups (SHGs), urban homeless, street vendors, and marginalised occupational communities. The awarded projects span a wide range of focus areas including housing for the urban homeless, financial inclusion of SHG members, digital livelihood tracking, e-commerce for women entrepreneurs, skill development, gig economy participation, and structured support for street vendors and vulnerable groups. MEPMA's strategic and community-driven approach has emerged as a model for other states to follow. Mission Director N Tej Bharath credited the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Municipal Adminstration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister P Narayana for their support, and thanked Principal Secretary S Suresh Kumar and CM's Secretary Pradyumna for their guidance. The SKOCH Awards will be officially presented during the SKOCH Summit in New Delhi on September 20, 2025.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
MEPMA bags nine SKOCH Platinum awards
The Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) has secured nine SKOCH Platinum awards. Established in 2007 and operating under the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department (MA&UD), MEPMA addresses urban poverty through a multi-dimensional approach that integrates livelihood generation, financial inclusion, skill development, housing and women empowerment, according to a release from the department. Out of 14 innovative projects submitted by MEPMA, nine were chosen for the recognition. The nine initiatives pertain to the welfare of self-help groups (SHGs), urban homeless, street vendors and unrecognised occupational groups. 'This is a moment of pride not just for the department, but for every individual who has been empowered through these interventions. Our aim has always been to create lasting, inclusive change,' said S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, MA&UD Department, in the press statement. He added that the MEPMA field staff have been instrumental in implementing the policy. 'From training SHG members in digital tools to facilitating access to markets, their efforts have touched thousands of lives,' Mr. Suresh Kumar said. MEPMA mission director N. Tej Bharat said these awards are a recognition of the tireless efforts of their teams and commitment of the SHGs. The SKOCH Awards are a prestigious independent civilian award presented by the SKOCH Group. The SKOCH Platinum awards will be formally presented at the SKOCH Summit in New Delhi on September 20.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
GENCO & TRANSCO get four directors
VIJAYAWADA: Four newly appointed directors of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) and Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTRANSCO) assumed their roles at Vidyut Soudha, Vijayawada, on Thursday, following the State government directives. The appointments aim to strengthen the State's power sector and enhance operational efficiency. Vemulapalli Usha has been appointed as Director (HR & IR), APGENCO. With 40 years of experience in APSEB and APGENCO and an degree, she plans to focus on employee skill development, grievance redressal, and aligning HR initiatives with the State's power sector vision. P Ashok Kumar Reddy, a graduate from SV University, takes charge as Director (Thermal), APGENCO. With 36 years of experience, he aims to modernize thermal units, improve plant efficiency, and maintain environmental standards. He led the commissioning of an 800 MW unit at Dr. Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station and earned SAP ACE and SKOCH Awards. M Sujaya Kumar, with a B.E. (EEE) and MBA (HR), has been appointed Director (Hydel), APGENCO. He plans to optimise hydel power operations and promote renewable energy projects, including 400 MW solar projects at Tadipatri. J Venkateswara Rao, with 38 years of service and a is the new Director (Technical), APTRANSCO. He aims to implement advanced techniques like Live Line Maintenance to ensure uninterrupted power transmission. They expressed gratitude to CM N Chandrababu Naidu, Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, and Chief Secretary K Vijayanand and pledged to work towards a robust and power sector.
