CM launches Swachhata Hi Seva - 2024
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 17 2024:
Organised with an aim to reignite the spirit of collective action and citizen participation in cleanliness efforts across India, the Swachhata Hi Seva-2024 which will be carried on till October 2 has been launched by chief minister N Biren during a function held at Cabinet Hall of the chief minister's secretariat, on Tuesday.
Speaking as chief guest at the function organised by department of Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), chief minister Biren announced that Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhan-dars (security canteens) established across the state will now offer essential commodities at low rates to the public.
In addition to the existing 21 Bhandars, 16 new ones will be opened, increasing accessibility to affordable goods.
This initiative is expected to alleviate the financial burden on the public when purchasing essentials.
The chief minister also expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their role in launching this initiative.
He further explained that the inspiration for the campaign stems from the people's desire to live with'dignity in a clean and robust India, including Manipur.
He expressed optimism that organising the Swachh Bharat Campaign annually, driven by the renewed hope and ambition of the people, would contribute to nation and the state's growth and development.
The chief minister also elaborated on Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, which encompasses five key categories: Cleanliness Target Units, also known as Black Spots; Public Participation; Awareness and Advocacy (Swachhata Mein Jan Bhagidari); Preventive Health Checkups and Social Security Coverage (Safai Mitras Suraksha Shivirs); and Mass Scale Cleanliness Drives, including Voluntary Contributions (Shramdhaan) and Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024.He explained that Cleanliness Target Units would involve identifying sites in need of regular cleaning and setting goals to address these areas.
He emphasised that the campaign's success relies heavily on public participation, highlighting the crucial role of every citizen in Swachhata Hi Seva 2024.Additionally, the campaign aims to offer frontline cleanliness workers proper medical arid financial support, including free health checkups and PPE kits.
The chief minister, reflecting on Manipur's long history of civilization spanning over 2000 years, remarked that comparing ourselves to those who lack such a history is not appropriate.
He expressed deep regret over the current state of our society, highlighting that the ongoing crisis is causing us to regress.
This crisis affects not only the state government but also the public at large.
N Biren emphasised the need for everyone to put aside their differences and join in the cleanliness drive, viewing it as a collective responsibility to ensure our country and state are clean.
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, MAHUD commissioner M Joy noted that Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 has been launched across all states and union territories of India, including Manipur.
He reminded the audience that the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban and Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin were both initiated in 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The theme for Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 is "Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata", which translates to "Cleanliness is Nature, Cleanliness is Culture" .
M Joy further emphasised that achieving the vision of cleanliness requires collective and voluntary support from all community members.
He added that the campaign would address both valley and hill districts of the state.
The event was also attended by ministers, MPs, MLAs, administrative secretaries and officials of MAHUD department, among others.