‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Fortnight: Make Sanitation Everyone’s Business, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tells Officials

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his council of ministers to “make India clean” and ensure that the “Swachhata Hi Seva” fortnight starting September 15 across the country is a grand success. The cleanliness fortnight marking the third anniversary of the ‘Clean India Mission‘ is being celebrated in the country from September 15 to October 2, to make sanitation “everyone’s business”.

A proposal as part of this fortnight includes urging national teams of various sports including cricket, hockey, football and badminton to adopt and clean up a slum.

It was also suggested that a massive campaign be launched for cleaning public and tourist places, markets, statues, hospitals and bus stations and the ministers were urged to ignite masses for contribution to Swachh Bharat.

A detailed presentation was made by Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary Parameswaran Iyer in the first meeting of the council of ministers after the recent cabinet reshuffle.

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In the presentation, it was suggested that the External Affairs Ministry may consider adding ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ message and logo to all new passports.

Besides all ministries have been asked to initiate innovative programmes to ensure sanitation for the poor and the marginalised.

The defence forces have been urged to mobilise special teams to clean high-altitude mountain garbage during the fortnight and declare cantonments as open defecation free.

According to sources, the prime minister who spoke briefly after the presentation told the ministers to make the cleanliness fortnight a success. He asked his ministers to make efforts for a “clean India” in the real sense and “not make just noise”.

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As part of this campaign, the ministers and top government officials have been urged to do ‘shramdaan’ (put in a few hours of service).

According to the sources, the “Swachhata Hi Sewa” could be the biggest ever campaign for any scheme. It is likely to be launched by President Ram Nath Kovind from a village in Kanpur.

So far the sanitation coverage has gone up from 39 per cent to 67.5 per cent since launch of mission. As many as 195 districts and 2.36 lakh villages have been declared ODF.

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