Roorkee (The Hawk): A one-day workshop on “Drinking Water and Sanitation: Current Situation and Future Challenges” was organized by the Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT Roorkee. Ms. Vini Mahajan, IAS, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt. of India, New Delhi was the Chief Guest of the Inaugural program.Ms. Vini Mahajan, IAS, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India, New Delhi, said, that under Swachch Bharat Mission Phase-2 in 2019 our Prime Minister announced: “Jal Jeevan Mission” under which every household in the country should have tap water. More than 50 percent of the rural household have received rural water connection so far and it is expected to achieve the task of ‘HarGhar Jal (Water to every household)’ by 2024. She said that this is a matter of great pleasure that IIT Roorkee has introduceda new M. Tech.program on Drinking Water and Sanitation being Introduced by IIT Roorkee is remarkable progress in the WASH sector. Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee, in his address, said that, this workshop isa curtain-raiser for the newly introducedM.Tech. program on Drinking Water and Sanitation by the Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT Roorkee.Prof. V. P. Singh, Distinguished Professor, WRD&amp;M Department, and Regents Professor, Texas A&amp;M University also addressed the inaugural function. He discussed in detail the multidisciplinary aspects of Safe drinking Water, Sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) which are covering the sustainable development goal of the United Nation program.At the outset, Prof. Ashish Pandey, Head,Department of WRD&amp;M, IIT Roorkee presented the welcome address. He apprised that the M.Tech.program in Drinking Water and Sanitation has been developed to address the challenges in Drinking Water and Sanitation faced by the Afro-Asian Countries including India, in the water sector.The formal vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Basant Yadav, WRD&amp;M Department, IIT Roorkee.

A one-day workshop on “Drinking Water and Sanitation: Current Situation and Future Challenges” was organized by the Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT Roorkee.

IIT Roorkee Inaugurates Workshop On Drinking-Water & Sanitation: Current Situation And Future Challenges

Bhararisain: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with sanitation workers who were cleaning the main road of the Bharadisain assembly complex and enquired about their well-being during his visit on Thursday morning. The Chief Minister also interacted with police personnel on duty during the Vidhan Sabha session and enquired about the arrangements related to their food and stay. During the tour, the Chief Minister also interacted with the local villagers. The Chief Minister also inquired about the local problems.
The Chief Minister took the problems of the people with seriousness and promised to resolve them.
Earlier, Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday greeted the people of Uttarakhand on the occasion of the Phooldei festival. "In his message, Chief Minister Dhami said that the folk festival Phooldei, celebrated in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, highlights our culture and also maintains the traditions of the mountains," the Chief Minister's office said in a statement. —ANI

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with sanitation workers who were cleaning the main road of the Bharadisain assembly complex and enquired about their well-being during his visit on Thursday morning. 

CM Dhami Interacts With Sanitation Workers

New Delhi: The 'Ayushman Bhav' programme is being developed by the Union health ministry with the goal of maximising the reach of all government-funded health programmes to their target recipients. Official sources informed that the schedule will include events like the Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, the Ayushman Sabha, the Ayushman Mela, and the Ayushman Gramme.
An official source has stated that "the aim of the campaign is to ensure comprehensive and saturation coverage of all health schemes so that every eligible beneficiary is able to avail their benefits." Both of the Ayushman Apke Dwar 1 and 2 campaigns were fruitful. Sources say that beginning on August 1, an all-out effort will be made under Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 to guarantee complete saturation.
They claimed that Ayushman Sabha, a campaign to guarantee that the benefits of all health initiatives of the national and state governments reach the intended recipients, will be led by the village health, sanitation, and nutrition committee.—Inputs from Agencies

The 'Ayushman Bhav' programme is being developed by the Union  with the goal of maximising the reach of all government-funded health programmes to their target recipients.

Govt to launch Ayushman Bhav prog to achieve 100% coverage of health schemes

The 'Ayushman Bhav' programme is being developed by the Union health ministry with the goal of maximising the reach of all government-funded health programmes to their target recipients.

New Delhi: Congress members remembered Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International and social activist, as a "tireless crusader for improved sanitation" on Tuesday. Pathak passed away earlier that day.
A close friend has confirmed that Pathak, a leader in the construction of public restrooms, passed away on Tuesday at AIIMS owing to a heart arrest. He was 80.
Bindeshwar Pathak, who passed away earlier today, was a long-time advocate for cleaner public facilities. Jairam Ramesh, general secretary of the Congress party, remarked that Sulabh had become a household name thanks to him in a tweet posted to X (previously Twitter).—Inputs from Agencies

Congress members remembered Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International and social activist, as a "tireless crusader for improved sanitation" on Tuesday. Pathak passed away earlier that day.

Pathak was a tireless crusader for improved sanitation, says Congress

New Delhi (The Hawk): The country has achieved yet another major milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II with three-fourth of the total villages in the country i.e., 75% villages achieving ODF Plus status under Phase II of the Mission. An ODF Plus village is one which has sustained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status along with implementing either solid or liquid waste management systems. As on date, more than 4.43 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step towards achieving the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25. The top performing States/UTs which have achieved 100% ODF Plus villages are – Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, D&amp;N Haveli, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura. Among States/ UTs – Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli &amp; Daman Diu, Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Sikkim have 100% ODF Plus Model villages. These States &amp; UTs have shown remarkable progress in achieving the ODF Plus status, and their efforts have been instrumental in reaching this milestone. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has accorded the highest priority to Swachh Bharat Mission since he took charge in 2014 and the entire nation rallied behind the call of the Prime Minister to make ‘Swachhata’ a ‘Jan Andolan’. PM’s vision and mission to make the nation Open Defecation Free by 2019 became a true mass movement and the targets were achieved well before time. PM called this achievement a stepping stone and envisioned moving towards ‘Sampoorna Swachhata’ which includes visible cleanliness and efficacious management and recycling of all waste with the vision of waste to wealth. Shri Shekhawat further said that based on this vision and mission, SBM-G Phase-II has set the ambitious target of making all villages ODF Plus by 2025. Out of the 4,43,964 ODF Plus villages so far, 2,92,497 villages are ODF Plus Aspiring villages with arrangements for Solid Waste Management or Liquid Waste Management, 55,549 villages are ODF Plus Rising villages with arrangements for both Solid Waste Management and Liquid Waste Management and 96,018 villages are ODF Plus Model villages. Overall, so far, 2,31,080 villages have arrangements for solid waste management, and 3,76,353 villages have arrangements for liquid waste management. The Union Minister further added that this year marks 9 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission. The achievement of 75% ODF Plus villages is a significant milestone for India, as the country has moved from ODF to ODF Plus in Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II. The major components of the Phase-II of SBM (G) are Sustaining Open Defecation Free Status (ODF-S), Solid (Bio-degradable) Waste Management, Plastic Waste Management (PWM), Liquid Waste Management (LWM), Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), GOBARdhan, Information Education and Communication/Behavior Change Communication (IEC/BCC) and Capacity Building. The SBM-G program has been instrumental in improving the health and well-being of millions of people across the country. An ODF Plus Model village is one which is sustaining its ODF status and has arrangements for both Solid Waste Management and Liquid Waste Management; and observes visual cleanliness, i.e., minimal litter, minimal stagnant wastewater, no plastic waste dump in public places; and displays ODF Plus Information, Education &amp; Communication (IEC) messages. As on date, 96,192 villages are ODF Plus Model villages. Shri Shekhawat stated that the entire budget outlay for SBM Phase II is 1.43 lakh crores out of which 52,497 has to come from SBM-G and the remainder has to come from 15th Finance Commission funds (51,057 cr) and MGNREGA (24,823 cr). The central share allocation from SBM-G for the year 2023-24 is Rs.7,192 Crore and the states have planned for an expenditure of 22,264 cr from all sources this year. Against this, there has been an expenditure of 4,690 cr from SBM-G funds and a total of 18,686 cr so far including FFC and MGNREGA. States with high expenditure of SBM-G funds this year are UP (1214 cr), Bihar (752 cr), and West Bengal (367 cr). These funds have been utilized to build sanitation assets, promote behavior change, and implement solid and liquid waste management systems. The Union Minister expressed happiness that this achievement of 75% ODF Plus Villages is attained during ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2023 campaign which is being celebrated annually from 15th September to 2nd October under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), Drinking Water &amp; Sanitation Department, Ministry of Jal Shakti. He said Swachhata Hi Seva is increasing the ODF Plus momentum through Shramdaan activities with the theme of 'Garbage Free India', reinvigorating community participation i.e., Jan Andolan towards achieving the targets and goals of Swachh Bharat Mission. Enumerating the major achievements of SHS-2023 so far, Shri Shekhawat informed that 5 crore people have participated in the campaign with over 2.05 crore people giving Shramdaan. Shramdaan activities include cleaning of 2,303 Beaches; 1,468 River Side and Waterfronts; 3,223 Legacy Waste Site; 480 Tourist &amp; Iconic Spot; 32,178 Public Places; 4432 Water Bodies; 17,027 Institutional Buildings and 14,443 Garbage Venerable Sites, among other things. Along with 34 State/ UTs in SBM-G, approx. 42 Partner Ministries/Departments are also actively participating in the SHS 2023. SBM(G) is a shining example of what can be achieved when there is a concerted and converged effort to improve sanitation and hygiene. Department of Drinking Water &amp; Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti congratulated and applauded the contribution of all villages, Gram Panchayats, Districts, States/UTs on this proud achievement. Solid Waste Management Plastic waste management - In terms of Plastic waste management, 2,380 Plastic Waste Management Units and 1,78,556 waste collection &amp; segregation sheds have been set-up. Over 3 lakh vehicles are in place to ensure effective solid waste management takes place in the country. Over 2,603 blocks in the country are covered with Plastic Waste Management Units. 23 States / UTs are using waste plastic for bituminous road construction and 2 states of Tamilnadu and Kerala are using it in Cement factories. The plastic is cleaned, shredded, bailed and transported for use in road construction as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport &amp; Highways and also as a fuel in cement factories etc. Approx. 1.59 lakhs gram panchayats have passed resolution to ban Single Use Plastic (SUP). The emphasis is on Urban rural convergence of plastic waste under which urban assets are effectively utilized for managing plastic waste of rural areas first, and thereafter PWMUs in rural areas are set up. For Bio-degradable waste management at household level, people are being encouraged to segregate their dry and wet (organic) waste at source for composting at community level. 4,94,822 Community compost pits have been constructed, 1, 78,554 Waste Collection sheds are constructed, approx. 3,16,123 vehicles for collection and transportation of waste are operational as on date. Completed 729 Biogas and 63 CBG Plants across 279 districts. GOBARdhan, which stands for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources-dhan, is an initiative to support biodegradable waste recovery, conversion of waste into resources and for creating clean &amp; green village. It is a ‘waste to wealth’ initiative wherein waste generated in villages is used to generate biogas/CBG as well as bio-slurry/bio-fertilizer and is in tune with the circular economy and Mission LiFE initiatives of GoI. 848 Functional Biogas/CBG Plants have been set up across 307 districts. Greywater Management: As per SBM(G) guidelines, it is estimated that 65-70% of potable water used at household level in rural areas gets converted to greywater which is estimated to be 36 litres per capita per day. This estimation is based on mandated supply of 55 Litres per capita of potable water as per Jal Jeevan Mission. The greywater management under SBM(G) is focused on the principle of 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recharge by preferably onsite treatment strategies by sustainable and economical solutions viz., kitchen garden, soak-pit, leach-pit and magic-pit, etc. In case of bigger villages (with population more than 5000) or wherever these simple technologies are not feasible, technologies such as WSP, CW, Phytorid, DEWATs and other technologies are recommended to be adopted. SBM(G) has taken initiatives on promotion of the effective management of greywater in rural areas by launching Sujlam Campaigns in three versions from 2021-23. The Campaigns had been able to bring about encouraging participation from every State, UT, and their respective villages. The impact was quite enormous and during the period of the three campaigns, an estimated 5.1 million soak pits were constructed for greywater management nearest to source and onsite at community areas, institutions and at drainage discharge points with minimum effort and expenses. This led to saturation of multiple villages with LWM and overall ODF Plus achievement of the States/UTs. 63% of villages have achieved greywater management and have contributed towards ODF Plus achievements. Remaining 37% of villages may achieve the same very soon. The villages with 100% Har Ghar Jal, villages under Namami Gange, Aspirational districts, SAGY and large villages with population more than 5,000 are being nudged to priotise the grey water management achievement under this 37 % leftovers . The Namami Gange villages are also prioritized by mapping and fixing the treatment systems at drainage discharge points by ensuring COD/BOD as per NGT specifications . DDWS under Greywater management is also contributing towards circularity concept by recycling grey water for irrigation purposes on small scale viz Kitchen garden and also in large scale viz Agricultural land/ Industries . DDWS is also furthering the mandate by futuristic planning and contribution towards ecosystem services . For Faecal Sludge, Twin pit toilets are the recommended mode for in-situ treatment of liquid waste. Where there are single pit toilets, which are not yet filled up or emptied, these too are considered safe sanitation under the UNICEF and other international standards. But where they need to be emptied or where there are septic tanks (with or without soak pits), mechanized desludging and evacuating the faecal sludge to STP/FSTP for treatment becomes the mode of intervention. As on date States though SBMG IMIS have updated the toilet typology and the baseline and have reported 73% Twin Pits in total and about 12.4% Single pits and 11% Septic Tanks in the rural households. SBM(G) provides Rs 230 per capita to the States for planning either co-treatment structures or for building new FSTPs. In addition, apart from supporting Districts to strengthen mechanized desludging of on-site sanitation systems and establishing treatment units for the safe disposal of faecal sludge, there is provision of retrofitting of single pit toilets into twin pit toilets (or similar systems) for which funds from FFC/MGNREGA are to be used. The remaining toilets which have septic tanks are being linked on convergence mode with the nearest FSTP/STP. Currently. 1198 FSTPs and 765 STPs are reported functional by the States and 316 districts overall have initiated linkage with existing STPs/FSTPs under the convergence methodology. As per the data analysis of the toilet typology reported on IMIS it is observed that 288 Districts contain about 80% of the Septic tanks under the reported 11% as above and are considered as Hot Spot Districts. Of the 316 districts that have reported initiation of linkage with FSTPs/STPs abovesaid, 108 Districts are the Hot Spot Districts

 The country has achieved yet another major milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II

India Achieves Major Sanitation Milestone As 75% Villages Are Now ODF Plus Under Swachh Bharat Mission - Grameen

Dehradun / New Delhi (The Hawk): In a remarkable display of community spirit and determination, the remote rural areas of Dharchulla in Uttarakhand witnessed a successful implementation of the "Swachhata hi Seva" campaign despite the challenging terrain and logistical obstacles. This initiative, aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation, brought together residents and local authorities to address a pressing issue in the region. The campaign, which is a part of the larger Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, is a nationwide movement aimed at promoting cleanliness and hygiene in rural areas. While the initiative has gained significant traction across the country, organizing such activities in hilly and remote regions like Dharchulla presents unique challenges. In the bordering area of Dharchulla, villages under the vibrant village scheme like Jaspur Tonker &amp; Guni Nabhiganj nestled in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is known for its stunning landscapes but faces several challenges due to its rugged terrain. The difficult geographical conditions often hinder access to basic amenities, including waste disposal facilities. This year's Swachhata Hi Seva campaign sought to address these challenges head-on. Despite these challenges, the local Mahila Mandal (Women Group), along with the active participation of the residents, was able to make the campaign a resounding success. In the campaign around 50 people participated in organizing the Swachhata activities. Several activities were organized over the course of two weeks to raise awareness about cleanliness and sanitation. One of the key highlights of the campaign was a massive cleanup drive in the village and cleaning of community places. Residents, including women and elderly citizens, enthusiastically joined hands to pick up litter and clean public spaces. This act not only contributed to a cleaner environment but also fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility. Given the challenging terrain and limited access to waste disposal facilities, an innovative solution was implemented. Community composting pits were established in various villages to manage organic waste effectively. This not only reduced the burden on landfill sites but also promoted sustainable practices in the region. The success of the Swachhata hi Seva campaign in villages in Dharchulla serves as an inspiring example of how determination and community spirit can overcome even the most formidable challenges. It demonstrates that with the right mindset and collaborative efforts, no terrain is too difficult to keep clean and beautiful. As the campaign concludes, the residents of these villages can take pride in their collective achievement and look forward to a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant community in the days to come. Swachhata hi Seva has indeed left an indelible mark on the hearts of the people, proving that cleanliness is not just a duty but a way of life.

In a remarkable display of community spirit and determination, the remote rural areas of Dharchulla in Uttarakhand 

‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Campaign Successfully Implemented In Vibrant Village Of Uttarakhand Despite Challenging Terrain & Logistical Obstacles

New Delhi [India]: In a display of commitment to the principles of cleanliness and sanitation, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) announced its active participation in the nationwide cleanliness drive inspired by the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  The initiative is set to take place on October 1, serving as a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on October 2.
Under the leadership of National President of BJYM, Tejasvi Surya, volunteers from across the nation will converge at 10 am on October 1 in their respective mandalas to undertake extensive cleanliness drives.&nbsp;
These efforts will extend to over 10,000 locations such as government hospitals, government schools, bus stands, and water bodies such as ponds and lakes, reaffirming the commitment to make our shared spaces more hygienic and eco-friendly. ”Cleanliness and sanitation are an integral part of the Gandhian way of living. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, cleanliness ensures the well-being of our citizens, reduces the burden on our healthcare systems, and contributes significantly to environmental sustainability," Tejaswi Surya remarked. "It is an embodiment of our respect for our nation and its heritage. Our Honorable Prime Minister has always championed the cause of Swachh Bharat, recognizing its profound importance in our daily lives. We, at BJYM, are proud to heed his call and take a stand for a cleaner, healthier India,” Surya added. BJYM extended its gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inspiring this noble cause and urged all citizens especially the youth, to join hands in this nationwide cleanliness drive on October 1, contributing towards a cleaner and healthier India.
—ANI

In a display of commitment to the principles of cleanliness and sanitation, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) announced

BJYM announces active participation in nationwide cleanliness drive, inspired by PM Modi on October 1

New Delhi: Tirupati, which houses the largest urban local body (ULB) in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, secured the 8th spot among cleanest cities with a population of over 1 lakh in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 rankings. Not just this, it has achieved a 5-star Garbage Free City (GFC) and Water plus rating, establishing itself as the cleanest State capital in the nation, according to a press statement from the Ministry of Housing &amp; Urban Affairs.&nbsp;
Tirupati, a city generating approximately 115 TPD of wet waste, 15 TPD of food waste, 61 TPD of dry waste and recyclables, 1 TPD of domestic hazardous waste, and 2 TPD of plastic waste, along with an additional 25 tonnes per day of construction and demolition waste, has prioritized robust waste management. All waste collected gets scientifically processed at the respective waste processing and management facilities, Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said in a release. The Tirupati Municipal Corporation team has employed nearly 1,000 sanitation workers dedicated to ensuring sanitation services. Achieving 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection, the city covers every gate by providing essential infrastructure, including Ghanta Gaddis or auto tippers equipped with blue, green, and red compartments for segregating plastic and non-plastic waste. The city employs an Online Waste Management System (OWMS) with RFID technology for real-time door-to-door waste collection tracking. This, coupled with continuous monitoring and dedicated sanitation efforts, has ensured a successful 100 per cent collection rate from all gates. With 238 identified transfer points, the city allocates 57 vehicles for secondary collection. Decentralized waste processing in Tirupati eases the burden on centralized plants, reducing their workload and transportation costs.
The focus is on processing wet waste in markets and gardens where significant quantities of organic waste are generated. There are 6 decentralised waste processing facilities that are located at 3 major markets and 3 gardens. Apart from this, the city has installed 3 Bio Chest machines at three different locations. Tirupati Municipal Corporation identified and classified 27 bulk waste generators producing over 100 Kgs daily and 60 generators producing 50-100 Kgs daily. In Tirupati, around 60 tons of dry waste and 1 ton of domestic hazardous waste are generated daily. Situated within the integrated waste management facility at Thukivakam, this centralized facility functions as a material recovery facility. Here, waste is systematically segregated into recyclable and non-recyclable items. Recyclable materials are sold to relevant recycling entities, while others are directed to RDF or undergo co-processing in cement factories' kilns. Further, Tirupati produces 20-25 tons of construction and demolition (C&amp;D) waste daily. To address this, the Tirupati Municipal Corporation partnered with Pro Enviro Solutions to establish a C&amp;D waste management facility with a 60-ton capacity in Thukivakam.
After the processing of waste, processed materials are utilized as raw materials for manufacturing kerb stones, tiles, paver blocks, etc. and are further used by Municipal Corporation for developmental works in footpaths, roadside, parks etc.Ramapuram dumpsite in Tirupati, previously burdened with 2 lakh tonnes of waste, has now been completely remediated, and an additional 25.65 acres of land have been reclaimed. Tirupati's commitment to effective waste management, heightened citizen awareness, and a vision for inclusive sanitation positions it as a pioneering city in the Swachhata initiative.
—ANI

Discover how Tirupati achieved its 8th spot in cleanliness rankings and its innovative waste management solutions, making it a pioneering city in the Swachhata initiative.

Tirupati ranks high in Swachh Survekshan survey

Gandhinagar (Gujarat): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has sanctioned Rs 240 crore for various initiatives under 'Nirmal Gujarat 2.0' to effectively strengthen the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a broader scale in Gujarat. To enhance public awareness of cleanliness in urban areas and position Gujarat as a leading state in cleanliness nationwide, the Chief Minister has decided to allocate incentive grants to municipalities based on their tax collection performance in sanitation.
"Under this plan, "A" and "B" class municipalities will receive a 100 per cent incentive grant for achieving 71 to 80 per cent annual sanitation tax collection, 100 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 200 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection. Similarly, for "C" and "D" class municipalities, the incentive grant standard is set at 50 per cent for tax collection ranging from 60 to 70 per cent, 100 per cent for 71 to 80 per cent collection, 200 per cent for 81 to 90 per cent collection, and 300 per cent for 91 to 100 per cent collection," Information department of Gujarat said. Each municipality will receive a matching grant of cleaning tax equivalent to the amount collected annually by that municipality. As per the resolution issued by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of the state for the effective implementation of "Nirmal Gujarat 2.0", the Chief Minister has sanctioned assistance for the development of major entry roads to towns and cities, as well as for the enhancement of one road within each town as an iconic road.
Municipalities are tasked with intensively cleaning roads up to 5 kilometres from city limits, while municipal corporations must clean roads up to 2 kilometres from city limits. Additionally, approach roads to towns will be cleaned, and one road will be designated as an iconic road. For this purpose, the state government will provide financial assistance to municipalities and municipal corporations. "Financial assistance of Rs 2 crores will be provided each to Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot Municipal Corporations; Rs 1.5 crores each to Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar, and Gandhinagar Municipal Corporations; and Rs 1 crore each to "A" class municipalities, Rs 75 lakh each to "B" class municipalities, and Rs 50 lakh each to "C" and "D" class municipalities, totalling Rs 111 crores," the information department further said. Municipalities and municipal corporations across the state will receive one-time assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for beautification efforts, such as installing sculptures, creating gardens, and planting trees, at every Garbage Vulnerable Point. This initiative aims to ensure cleanliness by permanently removing garbage and maintaining cleanliness at these locations. The state government has allocated Rs 16 crore for this purpose.  The Information department said that to foster a competitive spirit among local self-government bodies in terms of cleanliness, a quarterly competition titled "Maru Shaher, Swachh Shaher" (My City, Clean City) will be conducted, with categories based on the population of the towns. Certificates of recognition will be awarded to the best collector, commissioner, regional commissioner, and chief officer based on their sanitation performance, as assessed through quarterly reports submitted by third-party agencies. Additionally, a total of Rs 16 crore will be allocated for awards to the winning cities. Under this award, a municipality with a population of more than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 5 crores, a municipality with a population of less than 10 lakhs will receive Rs 4 crores, a class "A" municipality will receive a grant of Rs 3 crores, a class "B" municipality will receive a grant of Rs 2 crore, and a class "C" and "D" municipality will receive Rs 1 crore each. Financial incentives will be provided to sanitation workers, who play a vital role in the cleanliness and sanitation operations of the state's cities, by recognizing them as the best sanitation workers. Each ward in Municipal Corporations will select one best sanitation worker monthly, who will be granted Rs 10,000. Similarly, at the municipal level, one of the best sanitation employees per municipality will also receive Rs 10,000 monthly. The state government will provide a total assistance of Rs 4 crores for the best sanitation workers. As part of "Nirmal Gujarat 2.0," the administrative departments of the Secretariat and their head offices will implement an annual cleanliness calendar and conduct sanitation cleaning activities. Nirmal Gujarat 2.0 is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and aims to build on the success of the Nirmal Gujarat Abhiyan from 2007, following the motto "Cleanliness is next to Godliness."
—ANI

Bhupendra Patel sanctions Rs 240cr for Nirmal Gujarat 2.0, boosting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with tax incentives for municipalities.

The Hawk

Tag : Sanitation

IIT Roorkee Inaugurates Workshop On Drinking-Water & Sanitation: Current Situation And Future Challenges

Sunil Aswal

Tag : Sanitation

IIT Roorkee Inaugurates Workshop On Drinking-Water & Sanitation: Current Situation And Future Challenges

Sunil Aswal

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