Share
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 18 (EMN): Manhar Valjibhai Zala, chairman of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment symbolically launched the Swacchata Abhiyan on Tuesday morning at the old NST in Kohima town.
A cleanliness work in the capital town marked the launch. Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Kohima Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Green Team Kohima, and citizens took part in it.
The Swacchata Abhiyan was launched in 2014 with the objective to bring about an improvement in the general quality of life by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation in the country.
Zala also attended the awareness and check-up camp for the “Safai karamcharis” or sanitation workers or cleaners.
Saluting the ‘safai karamcharis’ for their contribution to cleanliness activities in the state, Zala called upon the citizens to more responsible in keeping their houses and streets clean and hygienic to ensure health. He was appreciative of Nagaland as a small yet beautiful and peaceful state and that its literacy rate is high. He urged the cleaners to continue to extend their services to keep the land clean.
Zala, who is on a tour for two days with a team in Kohima from the commission, said that they were in the capital town not only to promote cleanliness but to take assessment on the condition of the safai karamcharis and check their well-being. "The world is going ahead. Nations are going ahead. Safai karamcharis should go ahead too," he said.
The chairman of the commission reminded that there is dignity in all work, and said sanitation work is ‘one of the noblest jobs.’ He said that people are ‘healthy and wealthy’ when their surroundings are clean.
During the occasion, Zala handed over certificates with a cash award of INR 1,000 each to five best sweepers of the KMC for the month of January. The awardees were Sakal, Virender, Zhonehe, Chekhrongoi and Thejalhouvoü. He gave away protection kits to the sanitation workers which were provided by the Labour department.
Meanwhile, about 50 sanitation workers were registered during the awareness and check-up camp and were examined by medical officials from the Chief Medical Officer’s office (CMO).
Different schemes, provisions, entitlements and facilities for sanitation workers were highlighted by different officials representing departments of Labour, Municipal Affairs, Education, Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, CMO and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. and Lead Bank office at Kohima.
Deputy Commissioner of Kohima Gregory Thejawelie said it was privileged to have Zala and his team. He appreciated the various departments and organisations for their presentations which they made during the camp, and said 'it will go a long way.' However, the DC asked them to continue their connection in carrying forward the projects so that the programmes and schemes which are entitled to the cleaners reach them.
Kovi Meyase, the administrator of the KMC, acknowledged the team led by Zala for emphasising the rights and privileges of the safai karamcharis in the community.