New Delhi: The government has amended the rules for nominating eminent persons for Padma award this year. According to the new norms, you can only nominate online for various categories of the top civilian honours and to complete the registration process Aadhaar number is a must.
According to a report in Economic Times, any recommendations by way of physical letters or e-mails for the prestigious awards, scheduled to be given next year, will be disallowed.
The government has also set up an ‘Electronic Management System’ through a portal to manage the thousands of recommendations coming from individuals, several Central ministries and state governments.
To complete the registration process, an individual will have to provide details like his mobile phone number and e-mail. The registration process will, however, not be complete till the 12-digit Aadhaar number is entered.
The nomination process for the same has already begun on May 1. The last date for receipt of the nominations for the Padma awards 2017 is September 15, it said.
Earlier in April this year, the Centre had in a letter to the state governments stated that they should keep in mind that since Padma award is the second highest in the country, a person who has earlier been given a national award or at least a state award in his/her respective field should be recommended.
It is the usual practice to invite nominations every year from all state governments, union territories, ministries, departments of central government. Nominations can be made by Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, Governors and Members of Parliament. A self nomination is also acceptable.
All persons, except government servants, without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for Padma Awards.
The nominations are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954. Except for brief interruptions during the years 1977 and 1980 and 1993 to 1997, these awards have been announced every year on Republic Day. The award is given in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
