Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha applauded the contributions of women from various self-help groups (SHGs) in promoting cleanliness across the state during the closing ceremony of the “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign at Rabindra Bhavan on Tuesday. Dr. Saha emphasized the need for collective cooperation to maintain cleanliness in Tripura, recognizing the tireless efforts of SHG members in their localities. “Today marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, and also Mahalaya. We inaugurated a vending zone in Children’s Park to address the scattered setup of vendors across the city, which has been a topic of discussion for many days,” he stated.
The newly established vending zone, part of the Agartala Smart City Project and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India scheme, aims to provide a designated area for vendors to operate while promoting cleanliness. Dr. Saha instructed all vendors to uphold cleanliness standards, stressing its significance for food streets.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently highlighted the importance of cleanliness. By taking responsibility for our surroundings, we can create a ‘Swachh Agartala’ and a ‘Swachh Tripura.’ We launched this initiative on September 17, and as we conclude today, it is imperative that we maintain cleanliness in our offices, schools, and homes,” he added.
Dr. Saha also noted the necessity of cleanliness in administrative offices, revealing that he had spoken with the Chief Secretary to allocate 10% of the budget specifically for cleanliness measures, a proposal that has been approved by the cabinet. He reiterated that cleanliness is a shared responsibility, with SHG women playing a crucial role in the ongoing Swachhata Abhiyan. “Cleanliness is a continuous process that requires everyone’s cooperation,” he concluded.
