Swachhta drive to be conducted by gram panchayats of Mangaluru

MANGALURU: In a bid to improve solid waste disposal in scientific manner in gram panchayats of Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat will start an awareness drive on the scientific management and disposal of solid waste under Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) from June 5-30. The slogan for the drive will be ‘Swachh Meva Jayate’.

R Selvamani, CEO of zilla panchayat has instructed officials to distribute posters contacting information about drive to all panchayats before May 25. The gram panchayats have also been instructed to write instructions and methods of proper disposal of solid waste produced in households and proper use of toilets on walls in each panchayat before May 25.

According to the calendar prepared by zilla panchayat at least three swachhata drives need to be carried out in Mangaluru district for one-month period starting from June 5 in order to create awareness among the community.

On June 6, school children’s will carry out awareness drive on segregation of waste and will sensitise citizens on usage of toilets. Debates and essay writing completions are also planned in schools and colleges from June 9 to June 10. In addition, awareness campaigns on toilet construction, use of toilets, need to wash hands properly after using toilets, will be conducted between June 11 and June 21.

According to Selvamani, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are going to play out a great role in this awareness drive in rural areas in the district.

He said that gram panchayats will conduct special gram sabhas on June 27, where solid waste management aspects, curbing the use of plastic will be discussed in detail.

He also said that on June 30 a valedictory function will be organized for distribution of prizes to those gram panchayats which will organise special programmes to make the drive a success.