Honoured in Kinnaur for exemplary disaster response and governance
Munish Sood
Mandi
In a proud moment for Mandi district, the district administration and SDM Balh Smritika Negi were today conferred the Civil Service Award at the state-level Himachal Day event held in Reckong Peo. The awards were presented by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in recognition of their outstanding work during the 2025 disaster and their overall administrative excellence.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan received the award on behalf of the district administration, while Smritika Negi was honoured individually for her leadership in relief and rehabilitation operations.
Swift and Coordinated Disaster Response
The recognition follows the administration’s effective handling of the 2025 disaster that severely impacted Seraj, Gohar, Karsog and Dharampur regions. With road links snapped and communication disrupted, officials maintained a continuous presence on the ground, ensuring uninterrupted rescue and relief operations.
Tehsildar Rajat Sethi led efforts in inaccessible areas, while ASP Sagar Chandra Sharma undertook long treks to reach cut-off locations. Senior officials later accessed remote regions through air support, accelerating evacuation efforts and ensuring the safe rescue of stranded tourists.
At Ramvan in Sundernagar, the Deputy Commissioner personally supervised rescue operations, reflecting a hands-on administrative approach during critical situations.
Leadership Backed by Compassion and Field Presence
SDM Balh Smritika Negi was widely acknowledged for her role in coordinating multi-agency operations involving SDRF, NDRF, police and local teams. Her frequent field visits to remote areas ensured timely delivery of relief and essential services.
Her intervention in supporting an orphaned infant during the disaster stood out as a significant humanitarian effort. By facilitating documentation, financial access and institutional care, she ensured sustained support for the child.
Governance Reforms and Grassroots Initiatives
The Mandi district administration has also been recognised for strengthening governance delivery through innovative initiatives. Programmes such as “Apna Pustakalaya” have improved access to educational resources at the grassroots level, while digital governance measures have enhanced transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Officials highlighted that the administration’s approach combined technology-driven systems with strong field coordination, ensuring timely relief, rehabilitation and delivery of welfare benefits.
Officials Acknowledge Team Effort
Speaking after receiving the award, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan credited the achievement to the collective efforts of administrative teams, emergency responders and local communities who worked tirelessly during the crisis.
SDM Smritika Negi also expressed gratitude to all supporting agencies and field staff, stating that coordinated teamwork and public cooperation played a crucial role in managing the challenging situation effectively.
Award Structure and Recognition
On Himachal Day, the Civil Service Award is conferred by the Chief Minister as one of the state’s highest recognitions for excellence in governance. The award typically includes a traditional Himachali shawl, a cap, an official citation and a cash prize.
Under the award scheme, individual awardees receive ₹51,000, while teams or government organisations are awarded up to ₹2,50,000, acknowledging exceptional performance, innovation and commitment in public service.
Other Awardees Honoured
The state government honoured 14 individuals and entities across categories during the event:
Civil Service Awards
• Mandi District Administration under Apoorv Devgan
• SDM Smritika Negi
• Dr Nipun Jindal for contributions to digital governance
Inspiration Awards
• Charu Sharma
• Chonzin Angmo
• Ritu Negi
• Sakshi Sharma
• Pushpa
• Bhavna Devi
• Champa Thakur
Himachal Gaurav Awards
• Prem Lal Gautam
• Dr OP Sharma
• Dr Brij Sharma
• Sneh Lata
