New Delhi: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, held a high-level meeting with representatives from 22 States and Union Territories to review the findings of Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG) 2024 and discuss the strategic roadmap for the upcoming Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) 2025-26, set to begin in February.
The meeting provided a platform for discussions on key recommendations emerging from the SSG findings, ensuring an evidence-based approach to accelerating progress towards Sampoorna Swachhata with a focus on improving waste management systems. Officials deliberated on ways to enhance sanitation infrastructure and strengthen the implementation of hygiene initiatives at the grassroots level.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the launch of the WhatsApp-enabled SBM Academy, an innovative digital learning initiative aimed at improving accessibility and engagement with sanitation training. The revamped academy has been designed to offer interactive content, making learning more practical and user-friendly. The new WhatsApp-based model will provide users with course completion reminders and regular updates through videos, audio clips, and images. Upon completing the course with a minimum score of 50 out of 100 marks, participants will receive a training certificate in real time. The platform, currently available in Hindi and English, is expected to serve as a verified database of trained SBM manpower, further strengthening capacity-building efforts in rural sanitation.
Speaking on the initiative, Secretary, DDWS, Ashok KK Meena emphasized that the WhatsApp-enabled SBM Academy aligns with the government’s vision of leveraging digital platforms for grassroots capacity-building. He noted that the platform will enable frontline workers, Swachhagrahis, and other stakeholders across rural India to access crucial sanitation and hygiene training in an accessible format, thereby strengthening the overall implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission objectives.
As the nation observed Martyrs’ Day on January 30, the meeting also reflected on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, who championed sanitation as a fundamental national priority. Officials reaffirmed the need for cross-sector collaboration among government departments, ministries, and stakeholders to safeguard rural sanitation gains and advance waste management solutions.
With the Annual Implementation Plan process set to commence in February, the deliberations during the meeting have laid a strong foundation for coordinated policy action across all participating States and Union Territories. The DDWS remains committed to strengthening local governance, fostering community participation, and adopting innovative approaches to achieve sustainable sanitation outcomes.
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