In recent news, the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi honored top-ranked states, Union Territories (UTs), and districts in various categories through the Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2019. Aligning with the observance of World Toilet Day, held annually on November 19, these awards signify a significant stride towards improved sanitation nationwide.
Background of the Awards
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti initiated the Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019 (SSG 2019). The program was set into action via an independent survey agency with the objective of generating sanitation rankings for all Indian districts. The rankings are developed based on quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters.
Rankings and Recognition
SSG 2019 awarded the top three states and districts. They were as follows: Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Gujarat occupied the first three state ranks while the leading districts were Peddapalli (Telangana), Faridabad (Haryana), and Rewari (Haryana). Additionally, Uttar Pradesh received recognition for maximum citizen participation.
Several corporates, including Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA), Hindustan Unilever Limited, and AMUL, were felicitated for their effective plastic waste management contributions under the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign-2019.
Facts about SSG 2019
| Survey Facts | Percentage |
|---|---|
| People aware of SSG 2019 | 97.5% |
| Respondents attributing the improvement in cleanliness level to Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) | 81.3% |
| Villages with sufficient liquid waste management | 83% |
| Villages with sufficient solid waste management | 84.1% |
The Survey Process
The rankings were built on a broad parameter set entailing public place surveys such as schools, Anganwadis, Haat/Bazaars, and Panchayat. Additionally, citizen’s perception of Swachhta factored into the ranking. To collect data, the survey agency used maps and uncomplicated handheld device/recording formats. They also documented their observations and findings with photographs or videos when necessary.
Source: PIB
