The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal took active part in programmes organised under ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ campaign of the government here today. Shri Sonowal participated in the cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhata Mein Jan Bhagidari,’ held at the Civil Hospital of the city, to encourage Safai Karmacharis, the government employees and people in general to engage in regular cleanliness.

The Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, who is also the MP (Lok Sabha) for the Dibrugarh LSC, also inaugurated “Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir” at the historic Chowkidingee field for the benefit of the Safai Karmacharis working under the various municipal bodies of Dibrugarh, Chabua, Tinsukia, Margherita, Digboi, Makum, Naharkatia, and Namrup. More than 500 Safai Karmacharis attended the programme where Sonowal also interacted with them. Shri Sonowal assured that the Government would take all necessary steps so that they can avail the benefit of the Government welfare schemes and ensure their social security.

Swachhata should be a way of life to build a healthy & strong society.

Joined MP Shri @Rameswar_Teli, MLA Shri @prasantadjkdbr, safai karmis and locals for the #Swachhata Mein Jan Bhagidari programme at Civil Hospital, Dibrugarh. Let us all volunteer and pledge to keep our… pic.twitter.com/yeGgqTfQaZ

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) September 21, 2024

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said, “Swachha Bharat Abhiyaan is the most significant and popular movement which has been successfully going on under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. This movement has been embraced by everyone in this country towards building a stronger and cleaner India. Inspired by Bapu Mahatma Gandhiji’s words, our dynamic leader Narendra Modi ji launched this campaign a decade ago which is still going strong with a resounding response from the common people. This year, during this Sewa Pakhwada, we are celebrating the theme ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ as we continue our journey towards a cleaner tomorrow. In this endeavour, the most crucial section of our society is our brothers and sisters who have been working as the Safai Karmacharis. It gives me immense pleasure that we are sitting under one roof today along with more than 500 Safai Karmacharis who are keeping Dibrugarh constituency. I bow before all of you today with complete devotion.”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ throughout length and breadth of the country as a national movement in 2014. In 2023), under the ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ campaign, more than 8.75 crore people simultaneously cleaned 9 lakh sites. Last year, the Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign saw 32 crore people participating with Shramdan by more than 15 crores citizens. Institutional buildings, Garbage vulnerable sites, water bodies, legacy waste sites, river banks & waterfronts, tourist sites, beaches were cleaned. ‘Swachhata ki Bhagidari’ campaign encourages public participation, awareness and advocacy via Swachhata Pledges, Public Workshops, Marathons, Cyclothons, Human Chains, Gram Sabhas, Youth Connect, and Waste to Art events. It is aimed at involving the whole society.

Adding further, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “A public program transforms into a true people's movement only when there is genuine involvement. And when there is such a movement, success is inevitable. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has evolved into a powerful people's movement. Cleanliness reflects the perfection of God. Bapuji has shown us the vision of cleanliness. One can inspire many to care for the environment, towards cleanliness. For this, we must change for better and adapt ways of living in conformity with Mother Nature. As the campaign says, we must clean our inner self besides ensuring cleanliness outside. ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata.’ Is something that we aspire to achieve via this popular movement.”

With an aim of ‘Sampoorna Swachhata’ including 'Swachhata Lakshit Ekayi,’ the idea is to identify generally neglected garbage points or any other points which is posing an environmental or health & hygiene risk. Such points once identified will be known as Swachhata Lakshit Ekayi or Cleanliness Target Unit (CTUs). This has already been done and effort is being made to get all the CTUs cleaned up by 1st October. This is targeted transformation. One of the most crucial is the Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir where we want to help our Safai Mitras and Safai Karmacharis with the help of Preventive Health Checkups & social security coverage. These camps are single window camps for Safai Mitras to improve access to social protection. All the benefits under the Central and State government will be considered for all eligibility. The camps will focus on welfare schemes of Modi govt like PM Awas Yojana (PMAY), AMRUT 2.0, AADHAR, Mission Indradhanush, PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM JAY), SAUBHAGYA scheme, PM Jan Dhan Yojana, UDYAMi and Ujjwala schemes.

The Union Minister was accompanied by Rameswar Teli, MP, Rajya Sabha and ex Union Minister of State; Jogen Mahan, Minister, Govt of Assam; Sanjay Kisan, Minister, Govt of Assam; Prasanta Phukan, MLA & Chairman, Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Dibrugarh; Binod Hazarika, MLA, Lahowal; Bikul Deka, Chairman, Assam Petrochemicals Limited; Vijay Kumar IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI); Bikram Kairi IAS, District Commissioner, Dibrugarh; Dr. Saikat Patra, Mayor, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC), among other dignitaries.

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