IAS Namrata Gandhi is a 2013 batch IAS Officer of Chhattisgarh cadre and is currently posted as District Collector of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh. Known for her effective administration, she has served in various capacities in the government and was also recently appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Delhi.

Her vision for the district focuses on two key areas-water conservation and the upliftment of Particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). “These two projects,” she says, “I would call my dream projects.”

Under her leadership ‘Jal Jagar’ a water conservation initiative was launched under the Prime Minister’s Jal Shakti Abhiyan. “Over the last year, we’ve worked intensively with the community, involving people in awareness campaigns, and the results have been remarkable, especially in tribal areas,” she explains.

Additionally, 26 large ponds each spanning 10 acres are being developed in the district “This has massive water conservation capacity,” she notes. Beyond this ,her administration has focused on urban water management working with industries to enforce rainwater harvesting structures and sewage treatment plants.

In agriculture, She is helping farmers transition from water intensive paddy cultivation to millets and chana “This shift has made a huge impact on our groundwater levels,” she adds.

Recognising her innovative approach, Gandhi has been selected for the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for successfully implementing a GIS based water conservation plan in Dhamtari.

Alongside Water Conservation, Empowering Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) remains a key priority and a project close to her heart .For Kamar tribe,classified as PVTG efforts are being made to ensure that government schemes reach every household. Beyond this a focused approach is being taken across five key pillars-children, youth, women, livelihood, and habitation development.

“We have brought back 100 school dropouts into education and ensured more enrolment in nutrition and rehabilitation centers for malnourished children,” she shares.For Women’s,They are being trained in Ambar Charkha spinning and bamboo flower-making "We are enhancing their livelihood opportunities and also developing housing colonies with all essential amenities for them," she added.