Drive to make Ambala plastic-free launched

The district administration on Saturday launched the ‘Swachh Ambala’ campaign to make Ambala free of plastic waste and improve sanitation. The campaign will run from October 26 to November 15, targeting both rural and urban areas to enhance cleanliness. Under...

Tribune News Service

Ambala, Updated At : 08:38 AM Oct 27, 2024 IST

SDM Ambala Cantonment Satinder Siwach takes part in Swachh Ambala campaign on Saturday.

The district administration on Saturday launched the ‘Swachh Ambala’ campaign to make Ambala free of plastic waste and improve sanitation.

The campaign will run from October 26 to November 15, targeting both rural and urban areas to enhance cleanliness.

Under the initiative, gram panchayats that collect the most plastic waste at the block level will receive a Rs 1 lakh development grant. Additionally, the gram panchayat with the highest per capita waste collection at the block level will also be awarded Rs 1 lakh.

SDM Ambala Cantonment Satinder Siwach led the campaign in Janaitpur village and 12-crossroads in Ambala Cantonment. He said, “Collective efforts are required for the success of the initiative. We are hopeful that along with the employees of the civic body, the residents will also come forward to make Ambala clean.”

He also called upon farmers not to burn the paddy stubble and manage crop residue.

SDM Ambala City Darshan Kumar, SDM Barara Ashwani Malik and SDM Naraingarh Shashvat Sangwan also launched and participated in the cleanliness drives in their respective sub-divisions.

Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta, who held a meeting with sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and officials from the Municipal Corporation Ambala, Municipal Council Sadar and municipal committees, gathered feedback on the district’s sanitation conditions on Friday.

DC Parth Gupta stated, “The SDMs will lead the campaign in their respective areas and regularly assess its progress. This campaign will focus not only on routine cleanliness but also on making rural and urban areas plastic-free. All community leaders and residents will collaborate to ensure the campaign’s success.”

A special ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’ will be organised in each municipal ward, with sanitary inspectors getting honoured for significant plastic waste collection. Ward-wise competitions and cleanliness assessments will continue through November 15. Youth involvement will also be prioritised with schools across the district hosting competitions for plastic collection.

Students who collect the most plastic waste will be recognised and rewarded. Those leading in collection at the block and district levels will be awarded digital watches, Gupta added.