Mahatma’s spectacles with the bridge in tricolor suggests united effort for ‘Clean India’

Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu says, Cleanliness and India were the two eyes of Mahatma

Prime Minister to launch the Mission for clean India on October 2

Over Rs.62,000 cr to be spent on ensuring cleanliness in urban areas

            Ahead of the launch of ‘Swasth Bharat Mission’ by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the LOGO for the five year long cleanliness mission was today unveiled by Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development and Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation here today.

            Explaining the features of the Logo, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, the spectacles of Mahatma with its bridge in the Tricolor signifies the nation uniting to achieve the vision of Mahama for a Clean India. He further said, for the Mahatma, cleanliness and India were like his two eyes through which he envisioned a clean India. The Minister recalled Gandhiji saying that ‘Cleanliness is Godliness’ and ‘Sanitation is more important than political freedom.’

            From the ideas received from the public, the pictorial depiction of Gandhiji’s spectacles with ‘Swachh Bharat’ written on the glasses suggested by Shri Anant Khasbardar of Kolhapur, Maharashtra was chosen by the government. The tag line of ‘Ek Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore’ was suggested by Ms.Bhagyasri Sheth of Rajkot, Gujarat. They will be rewarded with Rs.50,000/- and Rs.25,000/- respectively.

            Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, Prime Minister is keen about building a “Jan Andolan” during the next five years to realise clean India by 2^nd October, 2019 the day that marks the 150^th birthday of Mahatma, as a befitting tribute to Gandhiji. Giving details of the efforts being made by the government in this regard, Shri Naidu said he personally spoke to all the Governors and  Chief Ministers besides addressing letters to spiritual and religious leaders, all  Members of Parliament, trade and industrial bodies, iconic personalities to take lead in creating a people’s movement for clean India. He said, a massive campaign will be launched in the national capital with pro-active involvement of over 60 agencies.

            Shri Naidu informed that while launching the cleanliness campaign, Prime Minister would administer a ‘Cleanliness Pledge’ at a public function on October 2, 2014. Shri Naidu appealed to all government employees and the public to take the pledge likewise.

            Shri Venkaiah Naidu informed that as per the approval of the Union Cabinet for the Swasth Bharat Mission last evening, an expenditure of Rs.62,009 cr would be spent on cleanliness in urban areas over the next five years. He said, the focus would be on- elimination of open defecation, conversion of insanitary latrines into pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, prevention of pollution of water sources, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in public areas, awareness generation and capacity building.

            Giving the details of the scheme, Shri Naidu said, over 104 lakh household toilets would be constructed besides 2.52 lakh seats as community toilets and 2.56 lakh seats as public toilets. Over 30 cr people would be helped in solid waste management.

            The Minister informed that centre’s share of expenditure would be Rs.14,623 cr and the rest would be mobilized through Public Private Partnership by States and urban local bodies, from private sector, levy of user charges, Corporate Social Responsibility, Swachh Bharat Kosh and other innovative measures.

AAR