Tirupati: District Collector Dr S Venkateswar has received prestigious SKOCH Golden Award in New Delhi on Saturday for the successful implementation of Swarna Navaripalle Project in Chandragiri mandal. Notably, Naravaripalle — one of the beneficiary villages — is the native place of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Launched under the directions of the CM, the project set out to achieve holistic development in villages of A Rangampeta, Kandulavaripalli, Naravaripalle, and Chinna Ramapuram. Solar panels worth Rs 20.68 crore were installed free of cost within just 45 days, with the Centre contributing Rs 10.19 crore and the State Rs 10.49 crore. Instituted in 2003, the SKOCH Award is regarded as the country’s highest civilian honour conferred by an independent organisation.