Union Minister of Jal Shakti CR Paatil Highlights Odisha’s Progress in Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Paatil, visited Odisha today as part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign. His visit aimed to assess the state’s performance in key areas such as sanitation, cleanliness, ODF Plus Model declaration, and waste management systems.

Paatil began his tour at Suando village, the birthplace of renowned social reformer Utkalamani Pandit Gopabandhu Das. As part of the SHS campaign’s Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam initiative, the Minister participated in a tree plantation drive to promote environmental sustainability. His visit also included a stop at the Utkalamani Memorial Museum, followed by meetings at Bidyadharpur village, where he engaged with beneficiaries of the Individual Household Latrines (IHHL) program, reviewing sanitation infrastructure developed under the Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM-G).

Addressing a convention at Biraramachandrapur GP, Paatil praised Odisha’s remarkable progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission, noting the state’s leap from 12% to 100% toilet access. “Participating in the ongoing SHS activities in Odisha is a reminder of the power of collective action and engagement,” he said. Highlighting the achievements of the mission in its tenth year, Paatil credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in driving communities to take ownership of their surroundings and embrace a culture of cleanliness.

The Union Minister emphasized the mission’s positive impact on the health and dignity of women who previously lacked access to proper sanitation facilities. “There is substantial research demonstrating how sanitation reduces diarrheal deaths, stunting, and infant mortality,” he added. Paatil noted that Swachhata Hi Seva remains a people-driven campaign, fueled by initiatives like Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam and the committed efforts of local communities. “We are not just sustaining the gains of the past decade but building a culture of swachhata for future generations,” he said.

During his visit, Paatil reviewed Odisha’s progress under SBM-Gramin, noting that 66% of villages have been declared ODF Plus Model villages, while 91% of villages have arrangements for greywater management and 71% have systems in place for solid waste management. These achievements reflect Odisha’s significant strides in rural sanitation.

Paatil’s visit comes as the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign continues across Odisha’s 314 blocks. The campaign, which runs from September 17 to October 1, will culminate on Gandhi Jayanti, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Odisha has planned 25,376 events as part of SHS 2024, with a focus on transforming 2,003 Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and organizing 314 SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivirs in rural areas. To date, 11,799 events have been completed, with over 20.7 lakh people participating.