Sidhu lauds local govt dept's efforts for stupendous achievement in Swachh Survekshan-2019
Chandigarh, Mar 9 (UNI): Punjab Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has lauded the department for attaining top honour in the Swachh Survekshan-2019, the largest survey of its kind in the world held by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
In the survey, Punjab has been adjudged as Best State in Sanitation amongst all for its progressive initiatives towards ‘sustainable sanitation’ and has been given the prestigious award of the “Best performing state in sanitation”.
The results were declared on March 6 by President Ram Nath Kovind and the award ceremony was organised by MoHUA at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
An official spokesperson said that the survey covered 4,237 urban local bodies throughout the country. After achieving good results in Swachh Survekshan- 2018, there was determination to work with holistic approach to bring the entire state at a par level.
After the survey, 167 cities were found to be Open Defecation Free (ODF) and none failed in re-certification and one city attained ODF+ and two cities got ODF++.
Detailing further, he said that overall, Punjab ranked 1st in North India and 7th in the country as against 9th rank last year. Coming up from bottom 10 states in Swachh Survekshan-2017 to 9th position in Swachh Survekshan-2018, the state has improved its position to 7th this time.
The spokesperson said that in less than one lakh population category, Municipal Council Nawanshahar was declared the cleanest city in North Zone amongst 1020 ULBs. It also got award for Garbage Free City Nawashahar (3 Star) . In addition to the above, 2 ULBs namely Dirbahas been awarded fastest moving city in North Zone and ULB. The Amritsar Cantonment Board has got the award of fastest mover cantonment Board. Zira, Kharar, Bhogpur, Jalandhar Cantt, Bhai Rupa and Roopnagar cities have been awarded in different population categories.
In the above one lakh population category cities Bathinda and Patiala have attained 31st and 72nd rank respectively among 425 cities. Besides, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Abohar, Moga, Barnala, Muktsar and Batala have improved their ranking substantially over SS-2018. Of 1020 ULBs in Northern Zone below the population of 1 lakh, 32 ULBs of Punjab are in the top 100 rank.
Image: UNI
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