Assam to set up 'Green Brigade' to ensure cleanliness

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat campaign, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Sunday announced the setting up of a "Green Brigade" to keep the state clean.

"We will constitute Green Brigade and permanent committees to keep the localities neat and clean. Awards will also be given for cleanliness drive," he said while launching the 'Clean Assam Campaign' here.

Gogoi, who launched the campaign in the city's Ganeshguri area, said his government would take up the cleanliness drive in a mission mode across the nook and corner of the state.

"We had launched Clean Guwahati Campaign in February 2012 in front of Cotton College, Jail Road, Manipuri Basti and other places.

"However, the campaign did not continue for long. But this time the cleanliness drive will be a continuous process in Guwahati and other parts of the state," he said.

"As we take proper care of our body, wear clean clothes, so also we must keep our surroundings clean to keep disease at bay," Gogoi said.

Appreciating the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan spearheaded by Modi, he said: "We support any good cause and our government, with the help of public organisations, NGOs and individuals, would make an all-out endeavour to make Assam clean and green."

Gogoi said the campaign would begin in all educational institutions, government offices and public institutions in a phased manner.