CM launches Swachhata Hi Seva Fortnight
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, September 16 2023:
Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday launched the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' in the state at the Cabinet Hall of the CM's Secretariat, here.
As a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas, the annual Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) fortnight, being jointly organised by Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and Grameen from September 15 to October 2 was also launched on Friday by Jal Shakti minister Gajen-dra Singh Shekhawat, Housing & Urban Affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Rural Development & Panchayati Raj minister Giriraj Singh.
The theme of 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign for 2023 is 'Garbage Free India'.
Addressing the function, CM N Biren said that "we are passing through a difficult time," and added that with the support and cooperation of people, including civil societies and others, we are on the path to bring understanding among the communities and walk towards peace.
Further stating that efforts are on to find a solution and bring peace at the earliest, the CM sought further support of the people and blessings from God.
He said that the public must have also witnessed the opening of national highways, deployment of security forces in sensitive areas, and efforts to ensure availability of essential commodities in all districts.
He opined that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign, the country has witnessed a big difference in the condition of the rivers, lake, municipality areas, etc, during the past nine years.
Various schemes have also been introduced in the state including the Nambul River Rejuvenation Project.
Informing that waste water from 72 drains will be trapped and treated at Heirangoithong Waste Treatment Plant before being released to the river, he added the state has already received the technical clearance for similar projects for Imphal River and Kongba River from the centre.
In addition, two other projects for Moirang River and left out portion of Nambol River are in the consideration stage.
Four more projects for Thoubal River, Chakpi River, Moreh River, Heirok River are also in the DPR stage.
The tender process for Lamphelpat Proj ect is already complete and dredging work of Konungung will commence for the first phase, he conveyed.
Biren continued that keeping Manipur clean and hygienic is the collective responsibility of the people, and called on all including meira paibis, students, local clubs, and panchayat level to join the fortnight long campaign to keep the environment clean till October 2.He then emphasised the need for unity among all sections of the society including government officials, general public, elected members in making Manipur a lively state by taking part in tree plantation drives, safeguarding water bodies, etc.
Expressing serious concern over the lack of rainfall and the ecological imbalance, the CM spoke on the need for rain water harvesting, tree plantation, safeguarding forest cover.
He mooted the idea of making it mandatory for all households to harvest rainwater, while informing that there is another long-time project in the pipeline to create reservoirs by bringing water through pipes from the Loktak Project.
Informing that the government is planning to resume the six-day working week starting from October, and that there will be no holidays on Saturdays; CM Biren remarked that in the last six or so years, Manipur had achieved so much with the support of the people.
But due to the current unfortunate crisis, the state has lost some three-four months.
Thus, to make up for this, there is a need for government employees to put in more effort, he asserted.
Despite the loss, we need not be disheartened, now the situation is improving and will be normalised very soon, the CM said, while expressing his confidence.
He also stressed on the role of MAHUD as the nodal agency to work with DCs, local clubs, municipality, ADCs, and NGOs to make a clean Manipur and clean India.
The launching of Swachhata Hi Seva, organised by Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), was also attended by chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi, administrative secretaries, and HoDs among others.
The DCs also virtually joined the launching programme.
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