The Khariar Notified Area Council (NAC) celebrated the Local Self-Government Day on Saturday with the National Flag being hoisted by its Executive Officer Kishore Kumar Sahu. Over two hundred members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), ex-Councillors of the NAC, intellectuals and workers engaged in sanitation works attended the function.
"The efforts of our sanitation workers to keep our town clean are impeccable. We are living in a healthy environment only because of their tireless efforts," said Sahu.
Khariar MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi, former NAC Chairperson Khulana Behera attended the function as guests. The meeting was presided over by Nuapada ADM Sitaram Patel. Social organiser Sanjukta Panda also shared the dais.
Panda in her address said the SHGs of Khariar NAC are now actively involved in maintenance of sanitation works in their respective wards. "The SHGs are providing active support to the Swachh Bharat Mission and we are thankful to them," she said, adding that the SHG members are considered as Swachh Sathis of the NAC.
The Executive Officer spoke how the SHGs have been an integral part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. "There is a provision for appointment of a Swachh Sathi in each ward for which we held consultations with the SHGs. Interestingly, the SHGs suggested that there is no need to appoint a person separately as an employee; instead, an SHG in every ward could take the responsibility under the guidance of its president and this approach is very much effective in improving sanitation in the town," he said.
Some of the SHG members were presented certificates for their active involvement in community mobilisation works.