Make Cleanliness a Daily Habit, Not Just a Campaign: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a virtual meeting with secretaries and senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development. During the meeting, he emphasized that cleanliness should not be limited to the timeframe of a campaign but should be integrated into the behavior and daily lives of the general public.

Shri Chouhan called upon officials and employees to lead by example and continuously raise awareness regarding cleanliness in offices, workplaces, field offices, and rural areas. He stated that extensive public participation is essential for the effectiveness of 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026.' The Union Minister specifically directed officials to ensure the involvement of Panchayats, rural communities, farmers, sanitation workers, and the media.

The Minister clarified that cleanliness activities must not remain a mere formality; instead, their results should be clear and measurable. He stressed the need for systematic documentation of work and recording achievements through 'before and after' photographs. During the meeting, Shri Atish Chandra, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of ICAR; Shri Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Department of Rural Development; and Shri P. Narahari, Joint Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, presented the action plans for their respective departments.

It was reported during the meeting that various activities were conducted under 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' from September 16 to October 2, including cleanliness pledges, Swachh Pathshala, solid waste management, and electronic waste disposal. Approximately 15 lakh rupees in revenue was generated from the auction of old furniture and e-waste. Additionally, plans to further the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign were shared.

Under a special campaign running from October 2 to October 31, 2026, targets have been set for the disposal of pending files, removal of scrap, and better utilization of office space. DARE and ICAR stated that farmers and rural communities are being connected to waste management and environmental awareness through the Pusa campus, ICAR institutions, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).

In conclusion, Shri Chouhan reiterated that the true success of the cleanliness campaign lies not only in the cleaning of premises but in behavioral change and sustainable results.