Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Paatil on Thursday took stock of the activities for the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign in Odisha.
The minister’s visit began from Suando village, the birthplace of Utkalamani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, a noted social reformer of the state. He participated in tree plantation drives as a part of the SHS campaign under “Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam” and visited Utkalamani Memorial Museum. It was followed by meetings at Bidyadharpur village where he engaged with beneficiaries of the Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) programme and assessed various sanitation assets created under SBM(G).
His visit focused on assessing the state’s performance in sanitation, cleanliness, ODF Plus Model declaration and improved waste management systems.
Speaking at a function in Biraramachandrapur, Paatil said participating in ongoing SHS activities in Odisha is a reminder of the power of collective action and engagement. He highlighted Odisha’s impressive progress under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which has gone from 12% to 100% for toilet access.
“This mission continues to be a national priority, protecting the health and dignity of women, previously without access to toilets. There is enough research highlighting the impact of ‘sanitation in reducing diarrhoea deaths and cases of stunting and averting infant mortality,” he said.
The Union Minister reviewed Odisha’s ongoing progress under SBM-Gramin, where 66% of villages have been declared ODF Plus Model villages and 91% villages have arrangements for greywater management and 71% villages have arrangements of Solid Waste Management.
The visit comes in the backdrop of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign, which is witnessing massive participation across all 314 blocks in the state. The campaign is going on from September 17 to October 1 and will culminate on Gandhi Jayanti, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.