Meghalaya launches Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

Jammu Tawi: To strengthen voluntarism and collective action for Swachh Bharat and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G), Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) & Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U), Urban Affairs Department today launched the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva' (SHS) 2024 at Shillong. The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva' fortnight will be observed from September 17th to October 2nd with the theme of Swabhav Swachhata – Sanskaar Swachhata. Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya & Minister In-charge, Urban Affairs Department stressed on the importance of a clean environment and the responsibility of each citizen to play their part in ensuring a clean environment. He highlighted that the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, is a crucial programme that requires public participation to succeed.During the programme, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister mentioned that the Urban Department has allocated significant funds for infrastructure development, including Rs 5.8 crore for footpath renovation in Iew Duh and a proposed Rs 15 crore for upgrading the traditional market. R. M Kurbah, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, highlighted that as citizens it is our responsibility to take the pledge to ensure that cleanliness is maintained, while also introspecting on what can be done for the country. She talked about the working conditions of sanitation workers and dignity of labour, raising awareness that they should be respected for the work done. Kurbah mentioned that 70 e-vehicles have been earmarked by the government out of which 67 has been received and are functional, that will be carrying wastes from households.To mark the launch of the Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) 2024, the Swachhata pledge was also administered today.Dignitaries present at the programme were Sniawbhalang Dhar, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya in-charge, Urban Affairs Department; R. M Kurbah, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills; P. K. Boro, MCS Joint Secretary, Government of Meghalaya & CEO, Shillong Municipal Board; J. P. Lakiang, MCS, Joint Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, PHE & Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen, Meghalaya, K Kharumnuid, Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U), Meghalaya, Urban Affairs Department and other officials and dignitaries of allied departments.