Centre, civic bodies, AAP government join hands for a clean Delhi
Chief minister Arvind Kejrwal called for cooperative federalism during the launch of the Swachh Delhi mission, the first event in which Delhi government and municipal corporations joined hands.
Chief minister Arvind Kejrwal called for cooperative federalism during the launch of the Swachh Delhi mission, the first event in which Delhi government and municipal corporations joined hands.
During the programme, Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu, who launched the week-long cleanliness drive, disbursed a package of Rs 96.70 crore as first instalment to Delhi government for 2015-16 for Swachh Bharat Mission.
Delhi government immediately issued an order of transferring the funds to agencies concerned for ‘Clean Delhi’ initiative. Naidu also announced Rs 3,250 crore package for Delhi for decongestion and development.
“This is for the first time that governments of three levels have come together — Centre, state and civic bodies. Technology was never a problem for cleaning the city as hosts of technologies are available but it was political will that was lacking. This stage has given us the platform to work together and this is a very solid beginning. I would request the MCDs that lets clear the garbage on war footing for one week and not criticise each other,” said Kejriwal.
Under this initiative, the Delhi government, in cooperation with its agencies and all the three municipal corporations, will ensure removal of garbage and debris from streets, roads, parks, schools, colleges, hospitals, dispensaries, markets, government offices, office complexes, cinemas halls, railway stations, ISBTs and all other spots.
Launching the Abhiyan, Naidu assured Kejriwal full support from the Centre. “Mahatma Gandhi gave us freedom. We need to free ourselves from our old attitudes and habits to achieve this. We have to bring in a change in the mindset of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us the call to work like team India. Central and state governments, urban local bodies and panchayats and individuals constitute this team. In my view, this programme is an affirmative statement of the spirit of team India,” said Naidu.
Naidu expressed his satisfaction over the action plan prepared by the chief minister roping in all the departments and agencies for success of the campaign. He also raised the issue of intolerance but he said people should be intolerant towards garbage.
The issue of construction waste and landfill sites was also raised during the function and the government promised to recycle them in coming years.