India, May 8 -- LUCKNOW With the next round of Swachh Survekshan rankings approaching, UP urban development and energy minister AK Sharma on Friday directed urban local bodies across the state to intensify cleanliness drives, strengthen waste management systems and ensure there is "zero negligence" in civic services.

Calling clean and well-managed cities a top government priority, Sharma said all urban local bodies must work with "full responsibility and accountability" to improve urban living standards and secure better rankings in the Swachh Survekshan exercise.

Chairing a high-level review meeting in Lucknow, Sharma asked municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats to treat cleanliness as a "public movement" and focus...