Excelsior scribe Verma, Shahid Iqbal get State Award

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 25: The Special Correspondent of State’s leading English newspaper Daily Excelsior, Mohinder Verma and District Developm-ent Commi-ssioner (District Election Officer), Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary have been conferred with the State Award on the occasion of 6th National Voters Day.
The awards were presented during the State level function organized at Jammu this morning.
It is for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that any Media House has received State Award with the approval of Election Comm-ission of India and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir in the field of electoral awareness.
Mr Verma has received the State Award for outstanding contribution in Systematic Voters Edu-cation and Electoral Participa-tion (SVE-EP) Cate-gory. Exce-lsior exclusively published series of news items highlighting interesting aspects on the eve and during the Parliament and State Assembly elections besides the new initiatives of Election Commission of India (ECI).
In this way, Excelsior played significant role in generating awareness among voters, which is vital key for increased participation of people in the elections. Mohinder Verma is also the recipient of State Award of Jammu and Kashmir in the category of Outstanding Media Persons (Republic Day, 2012) and Chief Minister’s Vigilance Medal (Independence Day, 2015).
District Development Com-missioner (District Election Officer), Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has been conferred with the State Award for outstanding contribution in the field of electoral participation and showcasing electoral best practices in the Global Electoral Exhibition and Matdata Mahotsav in New Delhi organized by Election Commission of India.
Dr Shahid received the award as best District Election Officer for his contribution in various fields of electoral enrollment, participation and awareness. He was DEO Kathua during conduct of Assembly Elections and DEO Reasi during Lok Sabha elections which registered record enrolment and participation.
He is also the recipient of country’s highest civil services award— the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2014-15 apart from National Award by Election Commission of India.