New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- Union Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday reviewed the preparedness of States and Union Territories for the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign, scheduled from September 17 to October 17.
Chairing a high-level meeting with State Urban Development Ministers, Principal Secretaries, urban development officials and State Mission Directors, Lal said this year's theme, 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat', underlines collective participation and shared responsibility in building a cleaner and developed India.
The campaign will focus on transforming Cleanliness Target Units and high-footfall public places, engaging youth through Swachh Paathshala-Yuva for Swachhata, organising SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs, and promoting Jan Bhagidari, circular economy and Waste-to-Wealth initiatives.
Lal appealed to citizens to begin the campaign at home on September 17 by cleaning their houses themselves and lighting a diya in the evening as a symbol of cleanliness, healthy families and positive energy. He said SHS should be pursued in the spirit of 'Seva Sankalp' and evolve into a sustained, people-led movement rather than remain a month-long exercise.
He said September 25, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, should witness cleanliness drives with a focus on inclusiveness and social welfare. States were also asked to mobilise citizens for the nationwide 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' Shramdaan on October 1, with education and sports departments involving youth and sportspersons.
Urban local bodies have been advised to involve residential societies and RWAs through inter-ward and inter-RWA cleanliness competitions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.