New Delhi, July 5 (KNN) On completion of Swachhata Pakhwada that was organized from 16th to 30th June, 2018, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Giriraj Singh distributed Swachhata Awards to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for contributing towards India’s green and clean mission.

Organizational units that were felicitated during the event for supporting and contributing towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiated by Prime Minister included Industrial Clusters, Industry Associations and field offices of National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), DC(MSME), Coir Board.

This was the second year, when the Ministry gave Swachhata Awards and created a healthy competition amongst industrial clusters and estates and its field offices for Swachhata.

During the Swachhata Pakhwada, Ministry and its subordinate organizations like KVIC, NSIC, National Institute for MSME and MSME-Development Institutes undertook a variety of activities like rain-water harvesting, construction of garbage pits for its conversion to manure, adoption of toilets in government schools for maintenance.

The KVIC adopted Jagatpura Village in New Delhi for one year so as to make it a model Swachh Village. 

In addition, awareness campaigns and seminars on new and innovative technologies on cleanliness were also organized. 

Addressing the gathering on the event, Giriraj Singh informed that the Ministry of MSME and subordinate offices are creating awareness amongst MSMEs to adopt a green approach in manufacturing and also about maintaining industrial hygiene amongst industrial workers.

He said that MSMEs are also being educated about the importance of setting up of effluent treatment plants and adopting waste management techniques.

Further, he stated that India which was at 52nd position in 2015 across the world in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index has now been ranked 40th due to swachhta.

India has emerged as the 3rd largest country in the world in travel and tourism only because of Swachhta, singh added.

On this special occasion, he thanked scientist KR Jadav for converting waste into wealth and creating employment along with swachhta.

We have added technology with swachhta by adopting green technology methods in almost every MSMEs clusters, said Singh.

Officials including Dr Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary MSME, Akshay Kumar Rout, Director General, Swachh Bharat Mission along with other dignitaries and senior officials from the Ministry were present during the event.

Started in April 2016, Swachhata Pakhwada objective is to focus on the issues and practices of Swachhhata by engaging Central Ministries and Departments in their jurisdiction. (KNN/YV)