Silchar gears up for contesting in cleanliness survey

 A Correspondent

Silchar, Dec 24: A month long survey on cleanliness (Swachh Sarvekshan) will start from January 4, 2017 at Silchar. The town will have to compete with 500 cities across the country. Silchar did not find place in the last cleanliness drive conducted by the Centre under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. In order to create more awareness about the mission among the workers of various Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and residents of the town, at an SHGs/NGOs convention has been organized at the District Library Auditorium here, today. The convention has been organized by Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) with District Disaster Magement Authority, Cachar.

 S Viswathan, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Cachar said that Silchar should gear for the survey which will be assessed by the Centre for its cleanliness. “I want Silchar to be placed in higher positions. We are behind Guwahati, Dibrugarh and gaon. Mysore was the first on the list while Dhanbad ended last. We have a pledge that we will cooperate with the workers and also try to keep Silchar clean as much as we can,” said S Viswathan. The DC further said that only words would not do and all have to work together. “We will have to ensure that door-to-door collection of wastes is being done regularly. If common people are aware, it will not be difficult to rank among positions,” the DC added to say.

 In his iugural speech, Rajiv Roy, Additiol Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and executive officer, SMB, said that cleanliness is next to godliness and as such it is mandatory to keep the city clean. “SHGs and NGOs have a vital role to play. Workers from 20 SHGs are there to help us. We are putting our faith in these female workers. Charity begins at home and a mother teaches about cleanliness at home. Likewise, these workers will do wonders.” Shameem Ahmed, disaster magement programme officer said that a team from the government will conduct the survey.

 Shameem Ahmed also said, “Of the total marks reserved under the survey, 40 per cent has been earmarked for solid waste magement collection; 20 for processing and disposal of waste collected, 30 per cent for construction of public toilets and open defecation free aspects and so on. Public citizenship feedback is also an important aspect of the survey.” The collection of data will be done through direct observation by the concerned officials, citizenship feedback through phone calls and from interacting with Municipal Board.

 Niharendra rayan Thakur, chairman, SMB, urged upon the people to cooperate with the Board and work jointly. Dr Manoj Kumar Paul, principal, Women’s College Silchar and Dr Rajiv Biswas, explained the data collection procedure through a PowerPoint presentation. A total of 7 questions will be asked and ratings and rankings would be based upon the answers received. The questionire will feature questions related to provision of door-to-door collection of wastes, cleanliness of the town, availability of dustbins, public and communities toilets. 1000 persons or 0.1% of the total population of each ward, whichever is less, will be the sample size of the survey.