Srinagar: The 73rd independence day celebrations of this year marked the end of the week long behavior change campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat (GMB) organized by the Department of water and sanitation Ministry of Jal Shakti , Government of India at national level and Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj J&K at UT Level. The Directorate of Rural Sanitation J&K was the nodal agency to monitor all the activities including cleanliness and sanitation drives, shramdhan in villages, tree plantation activities, wall painting etc. which were conducted w.e.f August 8th to August 15th , 2020. A lot of enthusiasm was seen in Rural people who participated in the campaign and pledged to keep their villages clean. Panchayati Raj institutions actively participated in the campaign and Sarpanchs of all the Gram panchayats led the campaign in their respective panchayat halqas. At District level, District panchayat officers led the campaing under the close supervision of concerned District Development Commissioners. The Deputy Director Rural Sanitation Kashmir and Jammu were the nodal officers for the campaign in their respective Divisions.
Resolutions were passed in 2324 Gram panchayats wherein people pledged to keep their villages neat and clean and sustain the ODF status of their GPs. In 1538 villages E-ratri Chapaul was conducted wherein Panchayat Mukhias / Sarpanchs highlighted the importance of sanitation through Video- Calls. Wall Paintings was another activity conducted under this campaign in as many as 1616 villages. Cleanliness drive was undertaken in 1677 villages and 324 public Health Centers in which officials of line Departments and 2166 volunteers participated. Plastic waste Management was another activity conducted under this campaign in which 5300 Kgs of single use plastic was collected and disposed off. In 1462 villages Shramdhan activities were conducted and 550 Buildings including Panchayat Ghars were white washed. Tree Plantation was one of the important activities conducted under this campaign and as many as more than 9000 saplings were planted. School Children also participated in this campaign through Essay writing/ Painting on Swachta.
The daily roster for conduct of GBM was issued by the Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj who supervised the campaign at State level. Director Rural Sanitation J&K expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of campaign in J&K and said that it has helped in changing the behavior and mind set of the people towards sanitation and hygiene. He thanked all concerned who made this campaign a successful one.
