The President of India, in a ceremonial event on 6th September 2019, honored entities that have notably contributed to the cleanliness mission of the nation by presenting the Swachhata Awards. Amongst the key awardees, Indian Railways was recognized as the best ministry for implementing the Swachhata Action Plan (SAP) for the year 2018-19. SAP, a key initiative by the Prime Minister, involves all wings of the Government and focuses on making cleanliness everyone’s business.
Launch and Impact of Swachhata Action Plan
SAP was officially initiated on 1st April 2017 with significant involvement from 72 Ministries and Departments. The primary objective of this program is to promote a clean and hygienic India by engaging all sectors of Government in the Swachh Bharat Mission program. Over the years, the plan has been successful in fostering an environment of cleanliness while ensuring active participation across multiple government departments.
The Nodal Agency: Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, tasked with the responsibility of being the nodal agency, has been actively engaged with the SAP implementing Ministries and Departments. Its role extends beyond coordination and includes providing actionable ideas and support implementation as needed. Besides, it is also responsible for reporting and monitoring the progress through the online portal http://www.swachhataactionplan.com, which acts as an interface between the nodal agency and other participating departments.
Nomination of Best Swachh Iconic Place
Table:
| Award Category | Awardee | Noted For |
|---|---|---|
| Best Ministry for SAP implementation | Indian Railways | Successful execution of 2018-19 SAP |
| Best Swachh Iconic Place | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), Mumbai | Excellent upkeep and cleanliness under Swachh Bharat Mission |
The President of India also conferred the Best Swachh Iconic Place award to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) in Mumbai. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission initiative, this iconic terminus was recognized for its excellent upkeep and cleanliness.
Sources and References
Most of the information in this article has been sourced from PIB, which is the official portal for news from the Government of India. PIB was instrumental in providing the details of the event, including the awards, awardees, and the impact of the Swachhata Action Plan on India’s cleanliness mission.