Swachh Bharat Mission: DC Kishtwar calls for stepping up sanitation operations in towns, rural areas

Kishtwar : Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Rajesh Kumar Shavan on Friday reviewed the implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) across the district at a meeting of stakeholder departments convened here on Friday.
The stakeholders presented a detailed overview of the progress under SBM in Urban, Rural, and Semi-Urban areas.
Calling for mobilizing active community participation, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need to intensify Swachhta awareness campaigns in both rural and urban regions.
The Executive Officer (EO), Municipal Council and the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) were directed to launch IEC activities through community announcements, social media campaigns, wall art, murals, posters, banners, and the installation of hoardings, particularly in Model Panchayats.
In addition, the DC discussed the action plan for ensuring clean, hygienic, and plastic-free townships and rural areas. He directed immediate desilting of drains in the town and surrounding areas and stressed a modular, proactive approach, encouraging full cooperation from the community.
The Deputy Commissioner highlighted the importance of cultivating civic sense among residents to maintain clean and green surroundings.
Special focus was placed on maintaining the Chowgan Ground, a historic landmark in Kishtwar, with plans for aesthetic beautification of public spaces and key crossing areas throughout the district.
Further, the DC called for the mapping of Chowgan Ground, Kishtwar town and nearby areas to optimize sanitation worker deployment and ensure ongoing Swachhta. He also prioritised the development of green spots and selfie points within the district.
To enforce the SBM guidelines, he announced that fines would be imposed on individuals or agencies violating cleanliness standards, with enforcement by BDOs, Tehsildars and the EO of the Municipal Council within their jurisdictions.
The discussion also covered topics such as the operation of community toilets in Chowgan Ground, installation of adequate street lights in the town, removal of illegal hoardings and sanitation and hygiene provisions at local eateries and dhabas.
The DC underscored the importance of conducting a meticulous survey under PMAY 2.0 to ensure effective implementation of the program’s next phase.
The meeting was attended by the ADC Kishtwar, CEO Kishtwar Development Authority, Chief Planning Officer (CPO), ACD, EO Municipal Council, BDOs, and representatives from GREF and NHPC, with some BDOs joining through online mode.