ITANAGAR, Oct 3: In a major achievement for Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang District has been adjudged as the cleanest district in the entire North-East by the Swachh Survekshan Gramin (SSG)-2018.
The SSG-2018 was conducted by a 3rd party independent agency engaged by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Govt. of India from August 1-31, 2018 across the country in 698 districts. The evaluation process were based on - direct observation of sanitation in public places (30%), citizen feedback (35%) and service level progress on sanitation as per Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), IMIS (35%) parameters.
Union Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Uma Bharti gave away the award to the state in a glittering function at New Delhi on 2nd October commemorating the 150th Birth anniversary of father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Sentum Yomcha, Mission Director, SBM (G) of PHE & WS Department received the coveted award on behalf of the State Government.
It’s worth mentioning that the State had earlier achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) on 31st December’ 2017. The Swachh Survekshan Gramin (SSG)-2018 in the State was launched by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 25th July’ 2018 followed by District level launch by the respective Deputy Commissioners under the guidance of the Chief Secretary.
The State government had supported the objectives of SBM (G) in the State by funding exclusively for reconstruction of defunct & conversion of insanitary toilets to sanitary toilets. The State government earlier provided additional incentives of Rs.8000/- per Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) which had boosted the rural masses to adopt Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) at the enhanced cost of Rs.20000/- per IHHL.
During the current year, the State government has allocated Rs.30.00 Crores in the budget for reconstruction of defunct toilets and to address the Solid, Liquid Waste in the rural administrative centres on pilot basis.
The fortnight long Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)-2018 was launched on 15th September’ 2018 in the entire state with overwhelming support from Governor Dr. B D Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu and finally culminated on 2nd October. Swachhata Hi Seva was actively participated by Ministers, MLAs, senior government officials, NGOs, general public, students and respective Deputy Commissioners followed by various cleanliness activities.

“The Deputy Commissioner, Tawang and the team of SBM (G) deserves special appreciation in making their district the first ODF district during September’ 2017 in the State and making it to the cleanest district a year after, in the entire North East region,” a visibly happy Khandu said while extending his congratulations to the district. He called upon other districts to take cue from the achievement and commit to keep their districts clean and hygienic.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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