Port Blair, Sept. 17: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been declared the ‘1st Swachh Sujal Pradesh’ in the entire country by the Hon’ble Jal Shakti Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during a felicitation programme held at DBRAIT Auditorium this evening. Presenting the award to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands & Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), the Minister congratulated the Lt. Governor, the entire team of A&N Administration, PBMC, PRIs, Political party representatives and the general public of A&N Islands in fulfilling the dream of the Prime Minister in achieving saturation in the implementation of his mission to make India a ‘Swacch Bharat’.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat while addressing the gathering remarked that A&N Islands presented the most precious gift to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his 72nd birthday today, befitting the occasion by fulfilling his Mission of ‘Swacch Bharat’ and ‘Har Ghar Jal’ by being declared as 1st Swachh Sujal Pradesh’ in the entire country. “I feel proud to be on this holy soil to declare A&N Islands as 1st Swachh Sujal Pradesh”, the Minister said.
The Minister stated that A&N Islands’ played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of the country. The Islands bear testimony to the inhumane treatment meted out to the freedom fighters, who fought valiantly and dreamed of a country where every Indian has access to their basic necessities. This occasion also reminds us to introspect ourselves and the responsibility to serve our countrymen with their basic needs, has been fulfilled or is yet to be fulfilled.
Highlighting the success of Jal Jeevan Mission, the Minister eulogized the efforts and vigour with which the Prime Minister delivers his promises and the driving force which has transformed this mission into a ‘Jan Andolan’. Under the mission, 7 crore people have been provided individual tap connection within a span of three years which, he said, is a massive achievement.
The Prime Minister’s vision of an ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ can only be achieved with the concerted effort of each citizen in fulfilling the missions he initiated, said the Minister. He further said that India became the world’s fifth-largest economy from 10th position since the Narendra Modi Govt. came to power in the year 2014. The Govt. is working on mission mode to make India a developed country by 2047 when it celebrates its centenary year. The Minister exclaimed with pride that the world is acknowledging the progress India is making at global level and how it has set the tone to become a role model for other countries.
Lauding the Islands’ scenic beauty, the Minister said, A&N Islands bestowed with nature’s bounty is a sight to behold; we must continue to ensure its upkeep. India has shown the world its determination in setting targets and achieving it, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor, A &N Islands, Admiral DK Joshi stated that in 75 years history, it is for the first time, that a Cabinet Minister along with Secretary and senior officials from the Ministry of GoI has visited the territory to celebrate an achievement which is creditable. The Lt. Governor said, ‘Har Ghar Jal’ and ODF+, both these mission have achieved 100 % compliance, which is a landmark achievement considering the Islands’ topography and its scattered nature, having an area of around 8249 sq.km, which is quite large when compared to many States in the mainland India. This achievement speaks volume of the service delivery system of the Administration starting from the northern most part of the Island to the southernmost, covering the Islands length and breadth, the Lt Governor remarked.
The achievement made in ODF+ (Grameen) is appreciable. In A&N Islands, there is only one urban sector i.e. Port Blair Municipal Council while the rest comes under the rural sector. In urban sector, ODF++ target was achieved in 2021, said the Lt. Governor adding that under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and with the sincere effort of Administration and support of general public ‘Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Jal Jeevan Mission Yojana has been successfully implemented in these Islands. For A&N Islands to be declared as ‘1st Swachh Sujal Pradesh’, the Ministry has carried out a comprehensive verification during which all important parameters viz. quality of water, quantity of water supply, regularity of water supply were thoroughly verified, after which only, the Ministry gave the Certificate.
The Lt. Governor further stated that on March, 22, 2021 FSTC (Functional Household Tap Connection) facility has been made available in all the villages and on September 15, 2022, 100% Har Ghar Jal certifications have been achieved through the support of Gram Sabhas. The Lt Governor congratulated the concerned Departments for achieving this success.
The Lt. Governor said that taking forward the people oriented welfare schemes/policies and with the support of the Govt. of India, under the aegis of Islands Development Agency, projects worth of around Rs. 88,765 crores have been implemented towards infrastructure development and improvement in connectivity. The Lt. Governor pointed out that under IDA, out of the 44 projects, CANI Submarine OFC Project, Azad Hind Fauj Setu at Humphry Strait and 20 MW Solar Power projects like 13 (30%) important projects have been completed and remaining 27 (61%) projects are under different stages of development. The Lt. Governor further said that A&N Administration is committed towards taking these Islands on the path of progress as also developing a new India of the 21st Century during this ‘Amrit Kaal’.
In her address, the Secretary, Jal Jeevan Mission, GOI, Ms Vini Mahajan, IAS congratulated the A&N Islands for achieving this feat of becoming the 1st Swachh Sujal Pradesh in the entire country, which she said is a very big achievement. She remarked that this achievement should not stop the Islands from continuing the Mission and it should strive to continuously ensure provision for availability of safe water and cleanliness to the Islanders. She remarked that for the mission to be successful, it requires peoples’ participation from the highest to the grass root level. She said proper sanitation, safe & clean water, hygienic environment needs to be maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS said, it is indeed a proud moment for all of us today that the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is being declared ‘Swachh and Sujal Dweep Samooh’ by the Hon’ble Minister. The achievements stands testimony to the concerted efforts made by the Departments in implementation of the schemes in these remote archipelago. Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), universal sanitation coverage is achieved with the construction of Individual Household Latrines and Community Sanitary Complexes. With the GoI’s vision of ”No One Left Behind” for sanitation access, the UT has additionally provided Indivdual Household Latrines (IHHLs) to 3828 individuals which are completed in full shape. Further, 296 Community Sanitary Complexes under SBM(G) Phase-I and 39 CSCs sanctioned under SBM(G) Phase-II have also been completed, the Chief Secretary mentioned .
The Chief Secretary stated that the Islands have set-up mechanism for Solid and Liquid Waste Management. The waste generated are segregated, bailed and sent for onward recycling. Inspite of the conveyance challenges, the waste are transported from inter-islands to Port Blair and from Port Blair to Mainland. Collaboration has been made with approved recyclers and Gram Panchayats are earning income by selling of waste. An amount of Rs. 21,55,881/- has been earned by the Gram Panchayats by selling of dry waste to recycler. He further stated that for effective Solid Waste Management, the Department has sanctioned 26 Solid Waste Management (SWM) clusters covering 70 Gram Panchayats in the Islands, out of which 24 are ready and functional. The SWM cluster site has provisions for treatment of organic waste by means of Composting. The SWM Clusters have also been equipped with Bailing and Shredding machine for processing of non-biodegradable Solid Waste. Considering the saturation of IHHLs and CSCs, efforts were made to augment the existing infrastructure arrangements available with the Gram Panchayat for carrying out Solid Waste Management activities as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the UT specific Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Rural Areas) Solid Waste Management and Handling Bye Laws, 2019, the Chief Secretary remarked.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (RD/Panchayat & PRI), A&N Administration, Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS said that it is a proud moment for the people of A&N Islands Andamans to have the Hon’ble Minister amongst us on this auspicious occasion for declaring the UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands as ‘First Swachh Sujal Pradesh’. The Union Territory of A&N Islands has achieved ODF Plus status for all its villages and has been declared as first ODF plus UT of the country. The UT Administration has been committed towards providing universal sanitation coverage in rural areas of the Island. In order to have effective Solid Liquid Waste management, the UT has taken measures to set-up 26 Solid Waste Management Clusters which would cater to entire 70 Gram Panchayats of Andaman, she said.
The programme which was attended among others by the Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Adhyaksha, ZPSA, Smti Pramila Kumari, Chairperson, PBMC, Smti U. Kavitha, Senior officers of A&N Administration, PRI members and general public concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Secretary (RD/PRIs), A&N Administration, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS.
A video on implementation of Swachh Bhrat Mission (ODF+) and Jal Shakti Abhiyan in A&N Islands were also screened on the occasion.
Earlier, the Union Jal Shakti Minister arrived to a warm welcome. He was received at the airport by the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS, senior officers from A&N Administration, representative from political parties and PRI members. Soon after arrival, the Minister visited Calicut Gram Panchayat, where he inspected the Amrit Sarovar, IHHL site, compositing of organic wastes, ‘Green House’ created in the farm of P. Pachaimuthu, a beneficiary of the GoI schemes. While interacting with the beneficiary, the Minister enquired about his well being and asked him whether he was able to enhance his income availing these schemes. The beneficiary informed the Minister that he has received good support from the concerned Departments through which he not only increased farm activities but also earning handsomely.
Thereafter, the Minister visited the Solid Waste Management Cluster at Beodnabad and saw for himself its functioning. The PRI members informed the Minister that solid waste management is being effectively implemented in their Panchayat which has not only helped them to keep their Panchayats Swatchch but it has also generated employment to the residents of the area.
Later in the evening, the Minister also visited the National Memorial Cellular Jail.