Port Blair, Sept 07: A meeting of all NGO Heads, Social Workers and active volunteers was held under the chairmanship of Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Secretary (RD/Panchayat) in the conference hall of Office of Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman in connection with the various activities to be carried out as part of “Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
It was informed during the meeting that as part of the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Jal Shaki, Government of India has launched various campaigns such as 100 days campaign on Sthayithva Evam Sujalam Abhiyan, Swachhtha Hi Sewa, Sathyagraha se Swachhgrah Rath Yatra etc. with an aim to reenergize efforts at the local level and mobilize people for collective action on achieving sustainability of ODF outcomes. He informed that the UT Administration is working for achievement of Zero Waste Islands and to become the first ODF Plus Union Territory.
The Secretary (RD/Panchayat) addressing the gathering informed that Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) has been the largest behavioral change programme accredited by even International agencies. He added that with the Phase-II of the mission targeting on the other components of sanitation such as Solid and Liquid Waste Management, Faecal Sludge Management, the similar intensity of behavioural change exercise is to be conducted at the grass root level. The role of civil society organization is therefore paramount in making an effective dialogue with the general masses and to carry out the message of Swachhtha to grass root level.
During the meeting, the Civil Society Organizations voluntarily adopted various villages for their regular upkeep and maintenance in partnership with the concerned local bodies and support the Administration in its endeavors of Swachata in the South Andaman District.
