Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards promoting public cleanliness and hygiene, a joint review meeting on the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign was held in Bhubaneswar. The meeting was chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, and S.K. Lohani, Principal Secretary of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW) Department, with the aim of ensuring the smooth implementation of the SHS campaign across Odisha’s districts and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The review brought together District Collectors and senior officials from various government departments. During the session, Padhee and Lohani emphasized the importance of adhering to the campaign’s guidelines and completing activities on schedule. Both leaders stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts between district administrations, ULBs, and local communities to achieve a cleaner, healthier Odisha.
Padhee outlined the critical role the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign plays in advancing the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) goals, especially in waste management, public engagement, and sustainable sanitation practices. She encouraged district officials to actively involve citizens, community organizations, and local stakeholders, urging them to make the campaign a people-powered movement.
Lohani highlighted the need for effective collaboration between rural and urban authorities to ensure synergy between Panchayats and ULBs. He noted that grassroots-level coordination and communication would be key to the success of the campaign.
The meeting also featured discussions on monitoring mechanisms, best practices for waste segregation, and innovative public engagement approaches. Special Secretary Rajesh Paravakar Patil, Additional Secretary Binay Dash, and other senior officials contributed valuable insights to improve the campaign’s efficiency.
Officials urged District Collectors to focus on activities such as cleanliness drives, public awareness campaigns, and community-led waste management initiatives. The Principal Secretaries emphasized the importance of meeting campaign deadlines and complying with national Swachhata Hi Seva guidelines.