Administration of Jaipur takes steps under Swachh Bharat Campaign
“Has it ever pained us that our mothers and sisters have to defecate in open? Poor womenfolk of the village wait for night; until darkness descends, they can’t go out to defecate. What bodily torture they must be feeling, how many diseases that act might engender. Can’t we just make arrangements for toilets for the dignity of our mothers and sisters?” – Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Right from the formation of Modi Government, emphasis has been given on the dream project of PM Modi – Swachh Bharat Campaign.
What is Swachh Bharat Campaign
Government commenced Swachh Bharat Campaign on 2nd October 2014. The aim of campaign is to achieve an Open Defecation Free India.
Government has targeted to construct 2.5 lakhs community toilets and 2.6 public toilets for 1.04 crore families of India thereby achieving defecation free India target by 2nd October 2019 – the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi.
Condition of Jaipur isn’t satisfactory
Swachh Bharat rankings for 73 major cities of India were issued in the February 2016 and Jaipur was placed at 29th position. Given the reputation of Jaipur is form of “Paris of India”, pink city should have been placed at much higher position.
Urban Development Department has considered sewage management and wastage collection from each house as very important. But Jaipur isn’t doing well in this area. In absence of wastage collection from each house, Jaipur hasn’t received good scores in the cleanliness ranking. Even then, Jaipur Nagar Nigam hasn’t initiated the process of wastage collection.
According to the new arrangement, cleaning staff could be arranged only for half Jaipur till now. For cleanliness of Hawamahal East, Moti Doongari, Civil Lines & Mansarovar, work has been allotted to a single company. For Hawamahal West, Sanganer and Amer, no company has shown its interest. For Vidhyadhar Nagar zone, tender hasn’t been issued till now. Questions have also been raised on including only one company in each tender and giving the work only to that company.
Administration finally takes some serious steps
Finally administrative authorities have taken some steps. Administrative authority has prepared its plan but it shall be implemented as per the suggestions of public. For this Swachh Bharat City Level Task Force shall be established. In this, responsibilities shall be fixed for Jaipurites, MLA’s and MP’s. Mayor shall be the chairman of Task Force. Urban Development Department has issued guidelines to Principal Secretary in this regard.
According to the sources, Urban Development Department believes that learned citizens, social organizations and elected public representatives can work well on the mission. Their support shall ensure completion of targets in pre-determined time.
Department doesn’t want to continue this dream project of Hon’ble Prime Minister only with the accountability of officers.
Persons to be included in Task Force
- Mayor – Chairman;
- Nagar Nigam Representatives – Coordinators;
- Learned Jaipurites
- Representatives of Local Chambers of Commerce;
- MLAs and MPs;
- Concerned subject experts
5 phases of responsibility in the campaign
- Cleanliness – open defecation action plan investigation; individual and community toilets construction; sewage management
- Wastage collection management – wastage collection from each house; its transportation to dumping station and 100% processing; growth of municipal solid waste project
- Change in behaviour – awareness in people for cleanliness; activeness of people towards the campaign
- Amendments in rules – change in rules related to solid waste management
- Other areas – operation of other activities related to the campaign
It is the equal responsibility of public as well as authorities to accomplish the targets as early as possible. Jaipur being the prominent tourist destination is more accountable and responsible for cleanliness. Tourists always rate a city firstly by its cleanliness, then by other factors.
