Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Safai Mitras (sanitation friends), who keep cities, towns and villages clean, are revered for me. Cleanliness is maintained only because of hard work of Safai Mitras. This is the biggest job. If the Safai Mitras do not do this work, the city will become sick. Their gesture of service is commendable.
Chouhan today served food to the Safai Mitras at the local Motilal Nehru Vigyan Mahavidyalaya sports ground on his birthday, honoured them, washed the feet of two Safai Mitras Chhotelal and Nirmalabai, while sitting with them in a public programme and also had food with them.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the programme with kanya poojan. Chouhan said that in the cleanliness survey 2022, incentive will be given to Safai Mitras on the basis of star rating for garbage free city. Four awards will be given for this. In addition, a risk allowance of Rs. 150 per month will also be given to the Safai Mitras. There will be a provision of Rs 25 crore for the awards.
Chouhan said that I have heartfelt respect for all the Safai Mitras. Today's programme is not just a ritual. Safai Mitras have given full cooperation in making the villages, cities and towns of the state clean and beautiful with their hard work. That is why today the Seva Samman is being given to the Safai Mitras. Chouhan said that today I first planted a sapling on my birthday, then I am participating in this programme of cleaning and washing the feet of Safai Mitras and having food with them.
Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the inspiration of all of us in the matter of cleanliness. Cleanliness and beauty are important in cities as well as in all places. Bapu had also said that God resides where there is cleanliness. Modi has launched a cleanliness campaign across the country. On his call, the countrymen understand the importance of public cleanliness and try their best to keep their surroundings and their villages and cities clean.
Chouhan called upon the people of the state to complete their duty in the matter of cleanliness. Chief Minister Chouhan said that efforts would be made to remove other difficulties including education and studies of the children of Safai Mitras. For this, after studying the problems separately, we will find a way to solve it.
He said that in the cleanliness survey 2022 in the state, the Safai Mitras of garbage free cities would be given prize money on the basis of star rating. In these awards, each Safai Mitra of the cities receiving one star will get Rs 1,000 each of the Safai Mitra of cities getting three stars will get Rs 3,000, each of the Safai Mitra of cities getting five stars will get Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 will be given to each Safai Mitra of the cities that get seven star ranking.
An amount of Rs 12 crore will be spent on risk allowance every year for Safai Mitras. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that every Safai Mitra should try to get 5 stars or 7 stars for his city. Citizens should also cooperate. Our safai karmis are now our Safai Mitras and they will be known only by the name of Safai Mitra. MLA Smt. Krishna Gaur, former Mayor Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Sumit Pachauri and public representatives were present.