Govt announces launch of cleanliness survey

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today announced the launch of a cleanliness survey to be conducted next year as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

According to the ministry, the 'Swachh Survekshan 2019' is proposed to be conducted from January 4 to 31 in all cities, which would encourage "large scale" citizen participation ensuring sustainability of initiatives taken towards garbage-free and open defecation-free cities.

Talking to reporters here, Puri said that the survey under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) will provide "credible outcomes" which will be validated by third party certification.

In a statement, the ministry said that the SBM ODF Plus and SBM ODF Plus Plus protocols that are planned to be launched are geared towards this objective.

"While the SBM ODF Plus protocol focuses on sustaining community/pubic toilet usage by ensuring their functionality, cleanliness and maintenance, the SBM ODF Plus Plus will focus on achieving sanitation sustainability by addressing complete sanitation value chain, including safe containment, processing and disposal of faecal sludge and septage," it also stated.

Meanwhile, the web-based platform was also launched which aims to allow stakeholders to participate in volunteering opportunities around neighbourhoods.

"Swachh Manch will enable uploading of pictorial evidence of citizens and organisations participating in the initiatives, as well as record the number of hours volunteered, as acknowledgement of citizens'/organisations' efforts and contributions to the cause of 'swachhata'," it added.