Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Jal Shakti · PIB Delhi · Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Senior officials of DDWS participated in special Gram Sabhas in States/UTs
Union Minister Shri C.R. Patil participated in the special gram sabha at Majigam village in Chikhali block of Navsari district of Gujarat on Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October 2026. The special Gram Sabha was attended by Shri Naresh Patel, Cabinet Minister, Government of Gujarat, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), Ms. Aishwarya Singh, District Collector and District Development Officer along with senior officials of the state and district administration.
During the special Gram Sabha, the Union Minister felicitated the sanitation workers and called upon everyone to make cleanliness a collective commitment, not just a one-day campaign, but an integral part of our daily lives, behavior and collective responsibility. He stressed that we should take a pledge that neither we will litter nor we will allow others to do so.
During his address, the Union Minister recalled the emphasis given by Mahatma Gandhi on ‘Sanitation’ along with ‘Freedom’ and mentioned how the most significant efforts for cleanliness have been made since Independence under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Under this, a nationwide mass movement in the form of Swachh Bharat Mission has transformed the rural sanitation scenario. This public participation for Swachh Bharat is taking the mission forward at the grassroots level.
Among other topics, the discussion during the special Gram Sabha also focused on the achievements of SHS 2026, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and Swachh Seva Ankaln, the GP level annual digital self-assessment framework, on which a presentation was made by JS&MD.
The Union Minister had earlier visited GP's “Waste to Art” exhibition, which highlighted the creative re-use of discarded materials, thereby encouraging responsible waste management practices within the community.
A tree plantation drive was conducted under the name ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ during which Hon’ble Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and JS&MD, SBM(G) planted trees. All the dignitaries and Gram Sabha participants together took a pledge for cleanliness.
On Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October 2026, special Gram Sabhas were organized across rural India as a key activity under Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) 2026. These gram sabhas provided a forum for gram panchayats and rural communities to review local sanitation and waste management efforts; Discuss the results of SHS 2026; Review the status of four-way source separation in line with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026; Identify and register bulk waste generators; And discuss sanitation service operations in ODF Plus (model) Gram Panchayats.
The Special Gram Sabha provided an opportunity and platform to conduct gap assessment and integrate relevant actions in Panchayat Development Plans, especially GPDP, for coordinated implementation at the grassroots level.
Senior officials of DDWS participated in special Gram Sabhas and cleanliness activities in States/UTs
In Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Deputy Secretary of DDWS participated in the special Gram Sabha at Sali Gram Panchayat which included discussion on Swachhta Hi Seva 2026 and SWM Rules, 2026, Swachhta Shapat and sentiment of sanitation workers. The visit also included a visit to an STP and a tree plantation drive under the name ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.
Deputy Secretary, DDWS in Jharkhand participated in the special Gram Sabha organized at Pinderkom village, Sithio Gram Panchayat, Namkum Block, Ranchi District. The Gram Sabha included discussion on the draft sanitation service assessment and the process to address the identified gaps, sensitization of sanitation workers, sanitation letters, tree plantation under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ and inspection of sanitation assets.
Deputy Secretary, DDWS in Haryana participated in the special Gram Sabha organized at Ratipur village of Palwal block of Palwal district. The visit included a tree plantation drive, inspection of isolation shed and interaction with the community on Swachh Seva Assessment, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and local sanitation efforts.
In Madhya Pradesh, Assistant Advisor, DDWS participated in special gram sabhas organized at Mughalia Haat and Jhirniya gram panchayats in Phanda block of Bhopal district. During the Gram Sabhas, participants took the Swachhta Pledge and discussed Swachhta Hi Seva 2026, Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and Swachh Seva Akalyan. The visit also included a plantation drive and an inspection visit to an isolation shed.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
