India, Oct. 3 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Union Minister Shri C. R. Patil participated in Special Gram Sabha at Majigam village in Chikhli Block, Navsari District, Gujarat on Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October 2026. The Special Gram Sabha was also attended by Shri Naresh Patel, Cabinet Minister, Government of Gujarat, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), Ms. Aishvarya Singh, District Collector and District Development Officer along with senior officials from State and District administration.
During the Special Gram Sabha, Union Minister felicitated sanitation workers and called upon everyone to make cleanliness a collective commitment and not merely a one-day campaign, but an integral part of our daily lives, behaviour and collective responsibility. He emphasized that we must resolve that neither will we litter, nor will we allow others to do so the same.
During his address, the Union Minister recalled the emphasis placed by Mahatma Gandhi on 'Swachhata' alongside 'Swatantrata' and mentioned how post-Independence the most significant efforts for Swachhta have been undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Under this, a nationwide Jan Andolan in the form of Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed rural sanitation scenario. This Janbhagidari for Swachh Bharat continues to drive the mission at grassroots level.
Along with other topics, discussions during the Special Gram Sabha also focused on achievements of SHS 2026, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and Swachh Seva Aankalan, the GP level annual digital self-assessment framework on which a presentation was made by JS&MD.
The Union Minister had earlier visited the "Waste to Art" exhibit of the GP that highlighted creative reuse of discarded materials, encouraging responsible waste management practices within the community.
A plantation drive was conducted under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', during which Hon'ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, and JS & MD, SBM(G), planted trees. All dignitaries and Gram Sabha participants together took the Swachhta pledge.
On Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October 2026, Special Gram Sabhas were organized across rural India as a key activity under Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026. These Gram Sabhas provided a platform for Gram Panchayats and rural communities to review local sanitation and waste management efforts; discuss the outcomes of SHS 2026; review the status of four-way source segregation in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026; identify and register bulk waste generators; and undertake discussions on Swachh Seva Aankalan in ODF Plus (Model) Gram Panchayats.
The Special Gram Sabha provided an opportunity and platform to undertake gap assessment and integrate relevant actions into Panchayat Development Plans, particularly GPDPs, for coordinated implementation at the grassroots.
Senior DDWS officials join Special Gram Sabhas and sanitation activities across States/UTs
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
