Shillong, Feb 1: In a major step towards a cleaner and greener Meghalaya as well as reducing the state’s carbon footprint, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday launched and handed over the Waste Collection e-Vehicles to different blocks of East Jaintia Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, and Ri Bhoi districts.

The launch of the waste collection e-vehicles is part of the Swach Bharat Mission – Grameen, a national flagship programme of Government of India, which aims to make all villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages.

The waste collection e-vehicles are not only good for the environment but are a measure to tackle waste and pollution.

I encourage the community members to use the vehicles to further cleanliness in their villages and work together to ensure a Swachh Meghalaya. @narendramodi… pic.twitter.com/u60UFh6I7G

— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 1, 2024

Addressing the people present at Madan Kurkalang, Lumdaitkhla village, Bhoirymbong under Ri Bhoi district, the Chief Minister informed that the State touched 84.33 % from just 10 % in ODF Plus in just 9 months. “This is because of the dedication and commitment of the government and the department to work in a saturation mode to achieve the target of becoming one of the top ten states,” he said.

He also said that the distribution of the e-Vehicles to different communities is a step forward ensuring that the government works with the participation of the communities. “Once we work together with the communities with a sense of purpose and passion, a visible difference can be made,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced that, commencing this quarter, a day will assigned when the government and the society will come together to clean towns and villages. “Starting from this Financial Year, every quarterly, in every district, block and village, the government and every citizen will come together to renew our commitment of keeping our towns and cities clean,” he said.

He further added that cleanliness has always been an integral part of tribal and Indian culture and added, “Somewhere along the way we have not been able to continue with this culture and tradition and it is about time that we renew and recommit ourselves to this tradition of our forefathers.” He also emphasized on the need to instill hygiene in the youth and the importance of keeping our surroundings clean.

A total of 207 e-Vehicles were handed over to different blocks of Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts. A similar program will be held for the Garo Hills region officials stated.

In his speech, PHE Minister Marcuise M Marak said the launch and handing over of the Waste e-Vehicle represents a pivotal step of the government in the commitment of realizing the vison of a clean and hygienic Meghalaya. He informed that the predicted plan for 2024-2025 includes achieving 100 % ODF Plus, installing 1,10,240 individual household latrines with 1553 allocated for the PMAY beneficiaries, establishing 570 Community Sanitary Complex Units and implementing 18 units of Fecal Sludge Management with additional implementation of Govardhan units and Plastic Waste Management units to be set up across the state.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, and senior officials from PHE and Shillong Municipal Board.

Also Read : Interim Budget 2024-25 | From FDI surge, stable taxation, to ‘Nari Shakti’ progress; Highlights

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