New Delhi: The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the fortnight long Swachhta Pakhwada activities being organised by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, here today. The activities are being organised from December 01 to December 15, 2016. On the inaugural day of the Swachhta Pakhwada today, a special cleanliness drive was undertaken by the Department in collaboration with the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM) in and around Ber Sarai market here.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that this drive is an extension of the Swachta Abhiyaan launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi two years ago. He said that the Swachhta Abhiyaan has seen success in the past years. Lakhs of toilets have been built in the schools and there has been a campaign for the Open Defecation Free (ODF) society in India.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that this Swachhta Campaign covers cleanliness of ‘Tan, Mann and Dhan’ i.e. physical, moral and economic cleanliness. He also referred to the decision taken by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on November 08, 2016 regarding demonetisation. He said that due to this decision, in three weeks only, the money which was hitherto hidden, has come into circulation. This money will be used in social welfare schemes that will serve the people of this country, he added.
During his visit to Ber Sarai market, the Minister also interacted with the shopkeepers and guided them for the use of e-transactions and explained them the utility and convenience of these transactions.
During the Swachhta Pakhwada, various activities have been planned as a massive cleanliness drive to be undertaken by this DoPT. A Poster(s)/Slogan Competition will be organised on the theme of Swachha Bharat during 1st to 15th December, 2016 to celebrate Swachha Bharat Pakhwada. Various activities have been planned such as general cleaning of flooring, removal of cobwebs, cleaning of fans, furniture and other electronic items, removal of broken furniture, waste papers, old and unused papers etc. from the rooms/common areas in North Block, Lok Nayak Bhawan and Old JNU Campus.