Saptagiri Ulaka Receives Sansad Ratna Award 2026
Honoured for Outstanding Performance of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Committee
Rayagada, September 10, 2026: Koraput MP Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has been conferred the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award 2026 as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, in recognition of the Committee’s outstanding parliamentary performance.
The award was presented at the 16th Sansad Ratna Awards ceremony held in New Delhi on September 9. The Standing Committee on Rural Development & Panchayati Raj was among four Parliamentary Committees selected for the honour this year.
Under Shri Ulaka’s chairmanship, the Committee has presented 41 reports during the 18th Lok Sabha, covering key issues including rural development, MGNREGA, rural roads, livelihoods, land governance, Panchayati Raj and tribal rights.
The Committee has also examined important issues concerning tribal and Scheduled Areas, including implementation of the PESA Act, 1996, strengthening of Gram Sabhas and effective devolution of functions, finances and functionaries to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Expressing his gratitude, Shri Ulaka said the award was a recognition of the collective efforts of all Committee members, Lok Sabha Secretariat officials and concerned Ministries and Departments.
“Above all, I dedicate this recognition to the people of Koraput. Their trust has given me the privilege and responsibility of representing them in Parliament. Every recognition I receive ultimately belongs to the people who sent me to Parliament,” he said.
Shri Ulaka said his representation of a predominantly rural and tribal constituency like Koraput had given him a close understanding of the challenges faced by rural and Adivasi communities.
He emphasised that Parliamentary Committees must rise above political differences, ensure accountability and make government programmes more effective for people at the grassroots.
The Sansad Ratna Awards, instituted in 2010 by the Prime Point Foundation on the suggestion of former President and Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, recognise outstanding parliamentary performance based on parliamentary data.
In 2026, 12 MPs and four Parliamentary Standing Committees were selected for the Sansad Ratna Awards. The Standing Committee on Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, chaired by Shri Ulaka, was among the four committees honoured.
Reported by Gouri Pattnaik
