In an effort to ensure the participation of community members, PRIs, and all other stakeholders in bringing about visual cleanliness to villages through the effective management of solid and liquid waste, a Sarpanch Samvad on Swachhata was organized by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, J&K.
During the virtual meeting held on February 14, 2023, Director – Rural Sanitation, J&K, Shri Charandeep Singh interacted with the Sarpanchs, encouraging them to accelerate implementation of SLWM works in their respective GPs.
The Samvaad was attended by Sarpanchs of Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua, Rajouri, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. In addition, Block Development officers of the respective Panchayats also attended the Samvad that focused on the ODF Plus components of Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen.
Among the topics discussed were the various verticals of Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, such as Solid Waste Management, Greywater Management, Faecal Sludge Management, installation of biogas plants, compost pits, leach pits, magic pits, capacity building of various stakeholders, and the need to maintain cleanliness in the villages.
The Director emphasized the relevance of the SBM-G scheme for the health and well-being of the communities and their role in its accomplishment. He called for teamwork with the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) not only to maintain the cleanliness of the villages but also in declaring those villages as ODF Plus. The need to influence behaviour change to bring about cleanliness at the individual and community level towards making villages visually clean was stressed.
The Participating Sarpanches highlighted their achievements in various aspects of swachhata such as – the removal of legacy waste, door-to-door waste collection, and the participation of village communities in solid waste management in their respective Panchayats.
The Sarpanch Samvaad is an eminent knowledge-sharing platform where all sarpanches can share their achievements, views, and suggestions regarding their initiatives that would ultimately contribute to the success of SBM-G. The event also plays a pivotal role in creating a bridge between the officials and members of PRI for better coordination and for ensuring the effective implementation of SBM-G.
The Directorate intends to continue such Sarpanch Samvads in all districts, a move that is being appreciated by all members of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Swachh Bharat (Grameen) 