SJVN honoured with first prize in Power Ministry’s Swachhta Pakhwada Awards

The SJVN has been awarded the first prize in the prestigious Swachhta Pakhwada Awards 2024 by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, for its performance during the nationwide programme “Swachhta Pakhwada 2024”.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Power, presented the first prize to Sushil Kumar Sharma, CMD (designate), SJVN, in a ceremony at New Delhi today. On this occasion, Vikas Marwah, HOP (RHPS), and Dhiraj Gupta, DGM (CSR), were also present.

The Swachhta Pakhwada Awards recognise outstanding efforts by power PSUs in promoting the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission during the annual observance of Swachhta Pakhwada, held from May 16-31, 2024. Awardees were evaluated on multiple parameters, including their initiatives to raise awareness and foster sustainable practices. Following a rigorous evaluation and inspection by the Ministry of Power, the SJVN emerged as the winner, with the PFC and the NTPC securing the second and third prizes, respectively.

Since the inception of these awards, the SJVN has achieved remarkable success, winning four first prizes, including three consecutive wins and one second prize.

“This recognition is a testament to SJVN’s commitment to the principles of Swachhta and sustainability. Our comprehensive action plans and impactful initiatives across project locations and offices have created a lasting impact on society,” said Sushil Kumar Sharma. During the Swachhta Pakhwada, various cleanliness activities were undertaken involving a large number of local people. The key initiatives include cleanliness drives at public places like children and public parks, toilets, market complex, railway stations, rivers, bathing ghats, natural water bodies, bus stands, temples, community places etc. As per the Swachhta Guidelines, SJVN cleaned up 19 blackspots (Cleanliness Target Units), out of which SJVN has adopted 14 such dark spots for cleanliness drives for the whole year as a measure of sustainability.

As per the SJVN spokesperson, the SJVN has sanctioned 10 CCTV cameras to Municipal Corporation, Shimla, for constant surveillance and monitoring to ensure cleanliness at 10 black spots identified by them in Shimla. Further, the SJVN, in collaboration with the Shimla MC has adopted two public parks at The Mall Road, Shimla, where tourist footfall is very large.