J&K to organize Swachhta Pakhawada from 1 to 15 August; Secretary RDD reviews preparedness

SRINAGAR, JULY 23: Jammu and Kashmir will organize Swacchta Pakhwada over two weeks from 1st August to 15th August 2024 with greater public participation to emphasise on sanitation, sustainability and cleanliness. In line with directions of the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj in coordination with various departments and Districts Administration has planned a series of programmes for cleanliness and sanitation initiatives with involvement of public.

Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary discussed the detailed roadmap in a meeting with District and Block level officers today, which was attended by Director General Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, Director Rural Development Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, Director Rural Development Jammu, Mumtaz Ali, Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal, Jt Director Planning Kamal Sharma, besides other provincial officers, ACDs and ACPs.

Dr Shahid emphasised on effective and greater public participation for promotion of scientific waste management, best sanitary practices, hygiene, cleanliness and institutional as well as societal initiatives. The two week long initiative aimed at public mobilization includes inaugural events at provincial, district and block level, cleanliness drives at public places and tourist destinations, legacy waste disposal, dedication of infrastructure to local communities, initiation of new projects at local level besides a series of awareness programs and engagement initiatives at various levels.

The Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj will also organize Swachhta Gram Sabhas in select panchayats of all the districts for creating awareness and eliciting public participation in planning, establishment, operation and maintenance of various assets under the Swachh Bharat Mission- Grameen. In coordination with departments of Health, School Education, Youth Services and Sports, Forest Ecology & Environment, Social Welfare and Agriculture, a number of programs have been planned at district, block and panchayat level.

The Secretary asked the officers to promote innovation at local level for sanitation and best practices in sustainability for which assured funding will be provided by the department.

It was also conveyed that participation of Non-Governmental Organizations, Educational Institutions, and local Community organization for effective and responsive planning for waste management in villages. The Amrit Sraovars developed by the department will also serves as focus areas for community action during the initiative. It was advised engage local media establishments for public engagement and creating awareness about sanitation, sustainability and scientific waste management in the rural areas.

The performance of districts will also be awarded after culmination of the two week long program which is designed to trigger a great public involvement and response.