Need to educate people to make J&K open defecation-free: Guv

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 31

Governor NN Vohra launched the ‘Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018’ at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre here on Tuesday, which aims to undertake a survey to take stock of the progress already achieved by the Swachh Bharat Mission in rural India.

The Governor lauded the J&K Rural Development Department and the Deputy Commissioners of all districts for their efforts in completing 93 per cent of the targeted individual household latrines and community latrines. He observed that this was an outstanding achievement for J&K to emerge as one of the top performing states in the country when less than a year ago, it was at the bottom of the ladder. He urged the Department of Rural Development to strive hard to achieve first rank in the mission.

The Governor observed that it became imperative that, in the next phase of the mission, widespread awareness was created regarding use of the toilet facilities created at homes so that we could become open defecation-free in true sense. He appealed to people to become active participants in the Swachh Bharat Mission and contribute in making their surroundings, villages, towns, and cities clean and polythene-free. He particularly urged students and the teachers, many of whom participated in the programme, to become a part of this noble cause. The Governor said being a clean country would enhance India’s standing in the world and boost our image as a desirable eco-friendly tourist destination. He wished high success to the mission. The Governor released a booklet on ‘Success Story of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) in J&K’, ‘Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018 Guidelines’ and the state SSG-2018 logo.

Adviser to Governor BB Vyas expressed satisfaction on the pace of target achievement under the mission. He described cleanliness as of utmost importance for the state which was a world-class tourist destination. Earlier, Indu Kanwal Chib, mission director, Swachch Bharat Mission (Grameen), administered Swachh Bharat Mission pledge to everyone and a video presentation on the achievements under the mission was also shown on the occasion.

Releases booklet on Swachh Bharat Mission 

• The Governor released a booklet on ‘Success Story of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) in J&K’, ‘Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018 Guidelines’ and the state SSG-2018 logo.
• Adviser to Governor BB Vyas expressed satisfaction on the pace of target achievement under the mission. He described cleanliness as of utmost importance for the state which was a world-class tourist destination.