Swachhata Hi Seva has become people’s movement: C R Patil

New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil on Wednesday said Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has evolved from a government programme into a people’s movement, with citizens’ participation in cleanliness initiatives strengthening across the country.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the launch of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026, Patil said the campaign will begin across the country on September 17 with the theme ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, swachhata today is not merely a government programme. With the participation of crores of citizens, it has become a people’s movement,” he said.

The month-long Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign will focus on public participation, cleanliness of public places, scientific waste management and the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.

Patil said more than 5.25 lakh villages have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF)-Plus under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, while more than 12.22 crore individual household toilets have been constructed since 2014.

He said more than 14 crore people from rural areas participated in Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, reflecting growing public participation in cleanliness initiatives.

“We want every state, every panchayat, every village and every citizen to join this campaign with full seriousness and in its true spirit,” Patil said.

He said the government has also launched the Swachh Seva Aankalan framework for rural areas, under which gram panchayats will assess their own sanitation services.

“The objective is not only to achieve sanitation targets but also to continuously maintain and improve the sanitation system in villages,” he said.

Patil said a nationwide collective ‘shramdaan’ will be held on October 1 under the ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ initiative, while special gram sabhas, sanitation awareness programmes and cleanliness pledges will be organised in villages on October 2, observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas.

September 27, World Tourism Day, will focus on cleanliness activities at tourist destinations, pilgrimage centres, public toilets and other high-footfall locations.

He urged citizens to ensure that villages, neighbourhoods, markets, government premises and river ghats remain clean even after festivals.

“Cleanliness is a collective responsibility,” Patil said, urging youth, students, elected representatives, voluntary organisations, women’s groups and citizens to participate in the campaign and encourage others to join.

In a video message, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal urged people to begin the cleanliness campaign from their homes on September 17 by cleaning their houses and surroundings and lighting a lamp in the evening.

“September 17 is also the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, this lamp should become a symbol not only of our resolve for cleanliness but also of our gratitude towards the prime minister and our blessings for his healthy and long life,” he said.

The BJP has also announced an ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme on September 17, under which people will be encouraged to light lamps at their homes between 6 pm and 7 pm to mark Modi’s birthday.

The minister also appealed to people to participate in the October 1 ‘shramdaan’ and contribute to cleanliness efforts on October 2, saying the cleaned places should not be allowed to become dirty again.

“Observed annually since 2017, Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 mobilises citizen action and ownership for swachhata, adopting a ‘whole of government’ and ‘whole of society’ approach, with a focus on shared responsibility, sustained cleanliness and participation across rural and urban India,” the ministry said in a statement. PTI ADI ADI KVK KVK

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