Cleanliness Drive: Chhattisgarh Announces Awards and Launches New Initiatives

At the ‘Swachhta Sangam’ event, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai honored sanitation workers for their contribution to urban cleanliness and beautification. The event in Bilaspur recognized urban bodies for their performance in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. The program, organized by the Urban Administration and Development Department, was presided over by Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao. The Chief Minister inaugurated development projects valued at over ₹260 crore and announced substantial rewards for urban bodies excelling in cleanliness. The first-place winner will receive ₹1 crore, the second ₹50 lakh, and the third ₹25 lakh. The event was attended by various dignitaries including MLAs and mayors. Chief Minister Sai commended the Urban Administration Department for successfully organizing ‘Swachhta Sangam’ and lauded the invaluable role of sanitation workers. He reflected on the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and the progress made in cleanliness across Chhattisgarh. He emphasized the department’s efforts to introduce citizen-friendly innovations and encouraged public participation in maintaining a clean and beautiful environment. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao highlighted the day’s significance for Chhattisgarh, acknowledging the transformation of cleanliness into a public movement. He noted the state’s progress in cleanliness, national recognition, and the six national awards received by the urban bodies. He mentioned the seven-star rating for Raipur Municipal Corporation as a Garbage-Free City and the three-star rating for 58 cities in Chhattisgarh with a population under 20,000. The aim is to create clean, attractive, and convenient cities, with cleanliness becoming a symbol of Chhattisgarh. According to Dr. Basavaraju S., Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, 115 cities in the state have shown significant improvement in their rankings in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. Seven urban bodies were honored by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi. Furthermore, the Chief Minister launched an online portal for property tax payments across three municipal corporations and 43 municipalities, a step towards modernizing local governance and providing online services to residents. The ‘Swachhta Sangam’ also saw the launch of a state-level competition to raise standards in cleanliness and urban beautification. The Chief Minister released a video based on the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. He inaugurated 24 development projects worth ₹63.57 crore and laid the foundation for 25 projects worth over ₹197 crore.