Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, chaired a high level meeting to review the preparations for Swachhta Survekshan 2025 here today.
Speaking about the Swachh Survekshan- a cleanliness survey among the Urban Local Bodies across the country, the Commissioner Secretary emphasised the importance of improving sanitation, waste management and citizen participation to achieve better rankings in the upcoming survey.
She directed the concerned to implement innovative solutions for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring active involvement of local communities. Dr. Devansh Yadav highlighted the steps already taken by JMC and other urban bodies to enhance sanitation infrastructure and public awareness. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to achieve cleaner and more sustainable urban environments across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Commissioner Secretary also reviewed the activities undertaken by the ULBs during the ‘Swachhtantra’ a pre-Republic Day Swachhata campaign campaign that was initiated by the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD).
The campaign had galvanized people from all walks of life to work towards cleaner and healthier urban environment. During the campaign, over 1032 different sanitation and cleanliness activities were carried out in which the citizens participated with great enthusiasm and more than 3,50,00 people participated in different sanitation activities undertaken by the ULBs.
Besides, more than 2,21,000 citizens took pledge for sustained sanitation & cleanliness. 188 Garbage Points were cleared and 52 water bodies were cleaned. During the ‘Swachhtantra’, a painting competition on the theme “Importance of Waste Segregation”, was organised for all 80 ULBs of J&K.
1040 people had participated in the painting competition reflecting the enthusiasm of people especially youth towards a Swachhata initiative. 26 best paintings were received by the Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban, 2.0 from Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/Kashmir & JMC/SMC.
The Mission Director framed a panel of Judges which evaluated the 26 best painting received. Aqsa from Doda, Sana Firdous from Shopian and Raksha Gurung from Jammu secured 1st, 2nd & 3rd positions respectively.
The 1st , 2nd & 3rd prize winners will be given a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/-, Rs. 25,000/- & Rs. 10,000/- respectively. Three consolation prizes were also given to Arjuman Zamin from Shopian, Sunaina Kapoor from Jammu & Mahi Manhas from Udhampur respectively.
The Commissioner Secretary stressed the need to engage more citizens in all such Swachhata initiatives to bring about measurable impact, fostering greater awareness and action within the community paving the way for a cleaner and healthier future.
The meeting concluded with a call for strengthened monitoring mechanisms, increased public engagement, and enhanced waste management strategies to ensure a significant improvement in Jammu and Kashmir’s performance in Swachhta Survekshan 2025.
Present in the meeting were Commissioner, JMC, Dr. Devansh Yadav, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu Manisha Sarin, Joint Commissioner, (H&S) Abdul Star, Health Officer, JMC Dr. Vinod Kumar Sharma and other officers and officials from JMC.
The officers and officials from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Executive Officers (EOs) from other Municipal Councils and Municipal Committees of Jammu and Kashmir, attended the meeting through video conferencing.