Swachh Survekshan -2021 awards

President Ram Nath Kovind is set to honour around 342 cities that have been conferred star rating for being garbage-free and clean in ‘Swachh Survekshan 2021’.

Key Points

• Union ministry of housing & urban affairs (MOHUA) has been organising “Swachh Amrit Mahotsav” to felicitate the cities.
• Event will be organised at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital.
• Swachh Amrit Mahotsav will also pay tribute to sanitation workers by means of recognising top performing cities under ‘Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge’.

Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge

Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge an initiative launched by ministry to promote mechanised cleaning of septic tanks and sewers besides preventing ‘hazardous cleaning’ in which a person enters them.

World’s largest cleanliness survey

Swachh Survekshan 2021 has become the world’s largest cleanliness survey by surveying around 4320 cities. In 2016, it surveyed 73 major cities in 2016. 2021 edition was conducted in just 28 days despite on-ground challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Performance of states and union territories

• According to ministry, six states and six UTs have shown improvement between 5% to 25%, with respect to their ground level improvement.
• Source segregation of garbage has been started across 1100 additional cities.
• Around 1800 urban local bodies have extended welfare benefits to sanitation workers.
• More of 1500 cities have notified the ban on sale, use, and storage of non-biodegradable plastic bags. 3000 city administrations have so far implemented it.
• All the North Eastern states showed significant improvement in their citizens’ feedback.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2021