Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: Geeta Devi, Sarpanch, Planwala Lower, has been conferred with the Swachh Sujal Shakti Samman at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, today.
A press statement said that the award was given in the context of International Women’s Day (March 8th) to women who have made significant contributions to the water supply and sanitation sectors. Geeta Devi, Sarpanch of Pallanwala Lower, was awarded for her exemplary contribution in the field of Gobardhan/Biodegradable waste and Plastic Waste Management, it said.
The statement further said that Geeta Devi has contributed immensely to making people aware of solid and liquid waste management in her Panchayat, and through Gram Sabhas, Ward Sabhas, and door-to-door campaigns, she has helped to bring about behavioural change. She played a vital role in initiating door-to-door waste collection in Palanwala using tricycles and aims to make her Panchayat litter and plastic-free, and a model for other Panchayats to emulate.
The program where Geeta Devi was awarded was attended among others by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Jal Shakti, Prahalad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food processing Industry and others.
The Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Department of Rural Development, has been working in coordination with district administrations and elected representatives to make all villages in the UT of J&K ODF Plus. Currently, over 4100 villages in the UT have been declared ODF Plus, with effective solid or liquid waste management systems in place.
The department has also established two Gobardhan Plants, with 36 more under construction. Door-to-door collection in villages across J&K has also started, so that waste collected from households can be disposed of in a way that does not become a health hazard.
A comprehensive capacity-building program is also underway in the entire UT to build the capacities of all stakeholders.
“Appreciation at the national level will go a long way in achieving the target of Sampooran Swachta,” said a Department of Rural Development Department official.
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