Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0 in New Delhi on October 1, 2021. (PIB)
New Delhi: Cleanliness is a lifestyle, cleanliness is a life mantra, ” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1, 2021.
He was speaking at the launch ceremony of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) here.
“We have to remember that cleanliness is not a task just for a day, a fortnight, a year or for just a few people. Cleanliness is a great campaign for everyone, every day, every fortnight, every year, generation after generation. Cleanliness is a lifestyle, cleanliness is a life mantra,” said the Prime Minister.
He added that the country’s pledge to make India open defecation free – ODF in 2014 has been fulfilled with the construction of more than 10 crore toilets.
He also highlighted the ease for mothers and daughters due to the construction of toilets.
“Now the goal of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0’ is to make the cities Garbage-Free, completely free of garbage.”
The Prime Minister underlined the scope of the country’s target in the next phase of Mission AMRUT as ‘Improving sewage and septic management, making our cities water safe cities and ensuring that no sewage drains anywhere in our rivers’.”
Prime Minister Modi dedicated the successes of transformation in the urban regeneration and cleanliness to Mahatma Gandhi.
He said these missions are the result of inspiration by Mahatma Gandhi and is being realized through his ideals only.
The Prime Minister remarked that the journey of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and AMRUT Mission so far makes every countryman proud.
Noting that today’s event was taking place in the Ambedkar International Centre, the Prime Minister remarked that Babasaheb believed in urban development as a great means of removing inequality.
“Many people from villages come to cities with an aspiration for a better life. They get employment but their standard of living remains in a difficult situation even compared to their lives in the villages. This is like double jeopardy of staying away from home, and after that to stay in such a difficult situation.”
PM Modi added that Babasaheb’s emphasis was on changing this situation by removing this inequality, and the next phase of Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission Amrit is an important step towards fulfilling the dreams of Babasaheb.
He said, along with, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas is critical for the campaign of cleanliness.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the present generation has taken the initiative to strengthen the cleanliness campaign.
“When the country started the campaign in 2014, less than 20 per cent of the waste generated every day in the country was processed. Today, India is processing about one lakh tonnes of waste every day (about 70% of daily waste). Now, we have to take it to 100%,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also talked about enhanced allocations for the Urban Development Ministry.
“In the preceding 7 years before 2014, the Ministry was given about Rs. 1.25 lakh crore. While in 7 years from 2014, almost Rs 4 lakh crore is allocated for the Ministry.”
The Prime Minister referred to street vendors and hawkers as one of the most important partners of any city in the programme related to urban development.
“PM Svanidhi Yojana has come as a new ray of hope for these people. More than 46 street vendors have availed benefits under Svanidhi Scheme and 25 lakh people have received 2.5 thousand crore rupees.”
PM Modi said that these vendors are promoting digital transactions and maintaining a very good record of paying back their loans.
He expressed happiness that big states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have taken the lead in implementing the scheme.
Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Prahlad Singh Patel, Kaushal Kishore, Bishweswar Tudu, Ministers from states, Mayors and Chairpersons of Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Commissioners were present on the occasion. (Press Release)
