Swachhata Hi Seva: Jammu And Kashmir Declared Open Defecation Free By Governor Satya Pal Malik

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Saturday declared the state open defecation free (ODF) and launched the “Swachhta Hi Seva ” – a fortnight-long cleanliness campaign for public awareness and involvement of community. At the launch of “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), an official spokesman said the state was self-declared as ODF by the Governor Satya Pal Malik. He said the Governor congratulated the state administration for efforts in making the state “100 per cent ODF”. Mr. Malik observed that due to sustained efforts of all the stakeholders, Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent toilet coverage and has become ODF “one year in advance”.

Also Read: Union Ministry Launches Swachh Survekshan 2019, Survey Toolkit, ODF+ And ODF++ Protocol, Swachh Manch

All the 22 districts, 4,171 gram panchayats and 7,565 villages in the state are self-declared ODF as per Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) SBM (G) guidelines,” the spokesman said.

He said apart from constructing 1.1 million individual household toilets (IHHLs) and 1,350 community sanitary complexes in the state, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has played a vital role in bringing about behavioural change in the people.

The Governor emphasised on the high importance of cleanliness in ensuring overall well-being of families and communities and expressed concern for the women folk who suffer from health ailments due to lack of toilet facilities at homes.

According to the spokesperson, Mr. Malik invoked Mahatma Gandhi to spread the message of cleanliness and hygiene. The Governor said ensuring cleanliness of all the water bodies and lakes, cities, towns and villages of the state and formulating a sustainable solid and liquid waste disposal programme would be one of the priorities of his administration.

Also Read: Swachhta Hi Seva: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Joins Cleanliness Campaign At A Civic Hospital In Ahmedabad

He said his administration will ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity during festivals and examinations, the spokesperson said. The Governor expressed concern over non-availability of avenues to youths for pursuing their hobbies and showcasing their talents and said he is working with IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla on the idea of having an IPL team for Jammu and Kashmir and noted that IPL matches will be played in the state soon. He also reiterated his commitment for strengthening sports infrastructure in the state with construction of stadiums in all districts having state-of-the-art facilities.

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swachh India campaign lends support to the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, the campaign aims to spread awareness about hygiene and sanitation, the importance of building toilets and making India open defecation free (ODF) by October 2019, a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014. Over the years, the campaign has widened its scope to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and menstrual hygiene. The campaign has also focused extensively on marine pollution, clean Ganga Project and rejuvenation of Yamuna, two of India’s major river bodies.