JAMMU: Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Javed Ahmad Dar, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive sanitation facilities for every household across Jammu and Kashmir.
While launching a 20-day-long sanitation campaign “Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman” at the Convention Centre here, the Minister emphasized the importance of efficient utilization of central government funds and stressed the crucial role of grassroots workers, including panchayat secretaries, in implementing sanitation schemes effectively.
The Minister highlighted the need to expand the program’s reach to remote areas and schools, calling for increased collaboration between government officials, NGOs, and local stakeholders.
“This program needs to be treated as a mission,” Javed Dar said, underlining the urgency of improving sanitation infrastructure throughout the region.
He emphasized that awareness campaigns and implementation should not be limited to departmental programs but should involve broader community participation.
The Minister also noted his satisfaction with the progress made in various sanitation projects after initial reviews, though he stressed that continued efforts are needed to achieve complete coverage across Jammu and Kashmir.
Organized by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation under the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), the ‘Hamara Shauchalay: Hamara Samman’ campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene across the region.
The campaign, which runs from November 19 to December 10, 2024, was marked by the flagging off of three specially designed vehicles equipped with LED screens. These mobile units will travel across the Union Territory showcasing innovative toilet components, retrofitting mechanisms, and sanitation awareness messages to engage communities.
Javed Dar officially launched the campaign alongside the hashtag #ToiletsForDignity, urging people to actively participate in creating a cleaner and more dignified society.
As part of the event, several notable publications were released, including the World Toilet Day Brochure, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2024 Booklet documenting sanitation success stories, and a video documentary highlighting the year’s achievements in improving sanitation facilities.
One of the key highlights was the unveiling of a special edition comic book, Chacha Chaudhary and Swachh Bharat. Created in collaboration with the iconic comic character, this edition is tailored to promote sanitation awareness among children and will be distributed in 4,000 government schools across Jammu and Kashmir.
The event also marked the inauguration of three GOBARdhan Plants in Kambal Danga village (Udhampur) and two plants at Geora (Jammu), along with several SBM-G assets aimed at sustainable waste management.
Secretary, Rural Development (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Mohammad Aijaz Asad also spoke on the occasion and emphasized the importance of community ownership in strengthening sanitation infrastructure.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable sanitation through targeted awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives.
The secretary outlined key steps being undertaken, including a comprehensive assessment of previously constructed Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) to identify those in need of restoration and repairs. “A wide range campaign has been launched across J&K to individually check the functionality of each CSC, ensuring they meet the needs of the communities they serve,” he said.
Under the Annual Implementation Plan for 2024-25, the government plans to construct 1,000 new CSCs to enhance sanitation coverage, particularly in rural areas with limited access to such facilities. This initiative aims to bridge existing sanitation gaps and improve the quality of life for residents.
Secretary said that the special sanitation campaign, running from November 19 to December 10, 2024, will focus on addressing these gaps, promoting community ownership of sanitation assets, and ensuring their sustainable use. “Community engagement and ownership are crucial for the long-term success of these initiatives,” he said.
The Directorate also honoured Swachhata Ambassadors, sanitation workers, and the top three performing districts during the recently concluded Swachhata Pakhwada – “The Shuchita Sangram”.
The event was attended by the Secretary of RDD, Rachna Sharma, Director General of Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, Managing Director of JKRLM, Shubra Sharma, Director of RDD Jammu Mumtaz Ali, Director of Panchayati Raj Sham Lal, Director of Finance Umar Khan, CEO IWMP, Rajnish Kumar, COO, Himayat, Rajneesh Gupta and other senior officers.
