New Delhi, Sep 10: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Power, Manohar Lal, convened a high-level meeting with State Urban Development Ministers, Principal Secretaries, Urban Development, and State Mission Directors on Monday to assess the preparedness of States and Union Territories for the upcoming ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (SHS) 2026 campaign. The nationwide initiative is scheduled to run from September 17 to October 17, 2026, with this year’s theme, ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat,’ emphasizing collective participation towards a clean and developed India.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the meeting focused on key areas of SHS 2026, including the transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and public spaces with high footfall. Other focal points include ‘Swachh Paathshala – Yuva for Swachhata,’ ‘SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs’ to honor sanitation workers, ‘Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata’ to foster public involvement, and ‘Swachhata se Samriddhi,’ with a specific emphasis on circular economy and Waste-to-Wealth initiatives.
During the deliberations, States and Union Territories received detailed briefings on the campaign’s core objectives and the necessity for coordinated national action. A significant emphasis was placed on ensuring widespread citizen engagement, efficient implementation at the local level, and demonstrable improvements in cleanliness throughout the campaign period. State Departments were urged to take the lead in organizing cleanliness drives across their respective office premises, tourist attractions, and water bodies.
In his address, Union Minister Manohar Lal encouraged citizens to commence the ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ campaign from their own homes on September 17. He suggested that individuals clean their residences and light a ‘Diya’ in the evening, symbolizing a clean home, a healthy family, and positive energy, while also representing a commitment to maintaining cleanliness. The Minister stated that the campaign should be approached in the spirit of ‘Seva Sankalp,’ aiming to establish cleanliness as a sustained, people-driven commitment rather than a temporary, month-long activity.
The Union Minister drew a connection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, noting that the campaign commences on September 17, the Prime Minister’s birthday, thereby aligning the spirit of service and resolve with the cause of cleanliness. He recalled the Prime Minister’s message during ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ where it was highlighted that when maintaining cleanliness becomes a collective resolve of the people, the resulting transformation extends beyond mere tidiness to redefine the very identity of a place. He stressed the importance of making ‘Swachhata’ a unified resolve of all citizens.
The Minister further underscored that September 25, the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, should be dedicated to cleanliness drives across all societal segments, with a particular focus on inclusivity and social welfare.
States were specifically advised to undertake comprehensive planning and advocacy activities leading up to October 1, in preparation for the nationwide ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Shramdaan (voluntary labor). State Education and Sports Departments were tasked with engaging youth and sportspersons for large-scale cleanliness activities. The Minister appealed to all Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Ward Councillors, Commissioners, and eminent personalities from each state to spearhead these Shramdaan efforts in their respective areas and constituencies to ensure mass mobilization.
He also called upon all municipalities to involve residential societies and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) by organizing inter-ward and inter-RWA cleanliness competitions to enhance their efforts and promote key cleanliness messages in prominent RWA locations.
October 2, designated as ‘Swachh Bharat Diwas,’ will see the organization of Special Council meetings and cleanliness drives at public places by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to disseminate Mahatma Gandhi’s message and conduct advocacy on Solid Waste Management Rules. Additionally, tree plantation activities will be conducted under the ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ initiative.
The meeting also highlighted the critical importance of ensuring the welfare, safety, and recognition of sanitation workers through ‘SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivirs.’ These sessions will include connecting workers with eligible welfare schemes, providing preventive health check-ups, and distributing safety gear. It was emphasized that these Shivirs should be organized recurrently throughout the year to maximize their impact.
The Minister urged States to organize Special Swachhata Programmes on October 7 to commemorate the completion of the Prime Minister’s 25 years in public service.
States and UTs were further advised to conduct effective and innovative advocacy and outreach activities involving public participation, sports events, and the playing of spiritual songs and Swachhata Anthems related to SHS 2026. They were also instructed to ensure regular reporting of activities undertaken during the campaign and to take proactive measures to guarantee that the campaign translates into measurable outcomes on the ground and fosters significant behavioral change among citizens. Although the campaign officially concludes on October 17, States were encouraged to sustain the momentum of cleanliness throughout the year.
The Chenab Times News Desk