A fortnight-long cleanliness drive “Swachchta Hi Seva” will be launched by President Ram Nath Kovind in Kanpur Dehat on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had in his recent Mann ki Baat program, called upon the nation to hold a sanitation campaign from September 15 till GandhiJayanti on October 2. All the Union Ministers are expected to voluntarily take part in it and encourage others in their Ministries to contribute towards cleanliness. Modi has urged all NGOs, schools, colleges, social, cultural and political leaders, corporates, Government officials, collectors and sarpanches, to accelerate Swachhta activities during the September 15 - October. Sources said that the cleanliness fortnight marking the third anniversary of the Clean India Mission is being celebrated in the country from September 15 to October 2, to make sanitation "everyones business". According to sources, the Prime Minister who spoke briefly after the presentation told the Ministers to make the cleanliness fortnight a success.
It was also suggested that a massive campaign be launched for cleaning public and tourist places, markets, statues, hospitals and bus stations and the Ministers were urged to ignite masses for contribution to Swachh Bharat. The PM, all Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, MPs, MlAs, District Magistrates, celebrities and citizens will offer shramdaan.
The ministries and states to initiate innovativeprograms to ensure sanitation for marginalized during the thirdanniversary of swachh bharat mission.
According to the sources, the "Swachhta hi Sewa" could be be thebiggest ever campaign for any scheme. It is likely to be launched byPresident Ram Nath Kovind from a village in Kanpur.
As per data, a total 76 Ministries implementing Action Plans worthover Rs 12000 crores, with a specific budget code for Swachhtha. Sofar the sanitation coverage has gone up from 39 per cent to 67.5 percent since launch of mission. As many as 195 districts and 2.36 lakhvillages have been declared ODF. Total Rs. 800 crores has already beendisbursed under Swachh Bharat Kosh. Under Zila Swachh Bharat prerakprogramme, 600 young professionals funded by private sector has beendeployed at district level. A total 1286 cities have declaredthemselves free from open defecation.