Workshop on Swachh Survekshan-2019 held in Srinagar

Srinagar : A day-long regional workshop regarding the Swachh Survekshan-2019 was organized by the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) under Swachh Bharat Mission in association with the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) at SKICC Srinagar Saturday.
Union Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), D S Mishra, Commissioner SMC, Peerzada Hafizullah Shah, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Cooperation, Arvind Kotwal, Financial Commissioner H&UDD, K.B Agarwal, Dy. Advisor SBM, Joint Secretary Smart Cities, Directors Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Kashmir and Jammu, Executive Officers of Municipal Councils/ Committees, officers of Urban Local Bodies Jammu and Kashmir, Sanitation officers/ Supervisors and Ward Officers of SMC/JMC were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, SMC Commissioner presented brief overview and achievements of SMC particularly the subject concerning even. Commissioner said SMC is performing the responsibilities of up keeping and maintenance of civic amenities.
While congratulating the people of whole J&K for achieving the milestone of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, Secretary said in order to pay a rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and to fulfill the dream of Prime Minister Narinder Modi, India has pledged to become ODF and clean by 2nd October 2019, and it is only possible when all the citizens and stake holders participate actively in the mission.
During the workshop it was informed that as a prelude to encourage cities to improve Urban Sanitation, MoHUA has recently concluded its third survey of Swachh Survekshan-2018 for ranking 4,203 cities and in a bid to scale up the coverage of the ranking exercise, implement mission initiatives in a timely and innovative manner, MoHUA has now proposed to conduct its fourth survey to rank all cities under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban with the objective to encourage large scale citizens participation, ensure sustainability of initiatives taken towards garbage free and open defecation free cities.
Speaking on the occasion V K Jindal informed that first ever ease of living index is being launched to encourage cities to move towards improved living for the citizens through planning management and development. Swachh Survekshan-2019 campaign is to focus on sustainability and public participation, ODF+ and ODF++ guidelines are being formed to make open defecation free status sustainable and ensuring behavioral change, star rating to the cities has a focus for making cities garbage free on sustainable basis.
The focus of the day long workshop was on familiarizing the participants with the revised cleanliness survey norms and parameters, besides explaining the methodology, weightages and new features and thrust areas that help cities and towns prepare for the field survey over the next few months. The field officers and stakeholders were sensitized about the indicators to be pursued/evaluated during the Swachh Survekshan-2019. The concerned were asked to take steps to achieve the set targets in order to meet the indicators requisite for the survey.
Later Secretary, hold a meeting to review the progress of centrally sponsored schemes under implementation by the H&UDD including the SBM (U), AMRUT, PMAY (HFA-U) and smart cities mission.
During the meeting, officials presented scheme wise expenditure and achievements under each scheme.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC, Peerzada Hafizullah Shah, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Cooperation, Arvind Kotwal, Financial Commissioner H&UDD, K.B Agarwal, Directors Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Kashmir and Jammu and other concerned officers.