Minister Kaushik Rai calls for people’s participation to make swachhata a way of life

way2barak, September 10: Assam is gearing up for Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026, as Assam Govt’s Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Kaushik Rai called for active participation of citizens and communities to turn cleanliness into a sustained public movement rather than a campaign limited to a few weeks.

Minister Kaushik Rai made the appeal while participating virtually from the DC Office, Cachar in a meeting convened by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, on Thursday to review preparations for the nationwide campaign. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar.

The campaign will be held from September 17 to October 17, 2026, under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, with the focus on coordinated government action and wider participation of people.

Minister Kaushik Rai said Assam has been taking part in Swachhata Hi Seva since 2017 and has witnessed strong public participation over the years. He said the State would continue to build on this experience by involving government departments, civic bodies, educational institutions, community organisations and citizens in activities that can bring lasting changes in cleanliness and waste management.

The Minister said cleanliness should not be seen simply as a periodic drive. It should bring government agencies and citizens together and encourage people to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their own surroundings.

He also made it clear that the task cannot be left to Urban Local Bodies and sanitation workers alone. Elected representatives, government departments, youth, students, Self-Help Groups, NGOs, private organisations and citizens, he said, all have a role in keeping public spaces and communities clean.

It’s worth mentioning that Assam has already prepared a State Action Plan and activity calendar based on the five campaign pillars outlined by MoHUA. These include Transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) and Clean Public Places,Swachh Paathshala Yuva for Swachhata,Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir, Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata and Swachhata Se Samriddhi.

Schools and colleges will have a major role under Swachh Paathshala Yuva for Swachhata with NSS, NCC, Eco-clubs and youth volunteers being involved in awareness and behaviour-change programmes. Four-way waste segregation, sustainable waste management, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle activities, exposure visits to waste-management facilities, Swachhata Samvad, debates and thematic art competitions will form part of the programme.

The State will also identify Cleanliness Target Units and Garbage Vulnerable Points for time-bound transformation. Markets, tourist destinations, public institutions, neighbourhoods, public and community toilets, transport hubs, parks, water bodies and other high-footfall areas will receive particular attention, along with site beautification and citizen participation.

The Jan Bhagidari for Swachhata component will take the campaign into households and communities through door-to-door awareness programmes, four-way source segregation, home composting, plastic-free initiatives and Reduce-Reuse-Recycle drives. Sports for Swachhata, cloth and jute bag initiatives, rejuvenation of RRR centres and community-led cleanliness activities will also be promoted.

The Minister laid special emphasis on sanitation workers stating that their safety and dignity must remain a priority. The Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir will provide preventive health check-ups, facilitate access to social security and welfare schemes, distribute protective equipment and recognise the contribution of Safai Mitras and sanitation workers.

Under Swachhata Se Samriddhi, the State will promote the concept of “Waste is Wealth” through initiatives such as Kabaad Se Jugaad, Kabaad Se Kala, plastic recycling melas, reuse and recycling drives and linkages between Bulk Waste Generators and recyclers.

Notably,the campaign will also include cleanliness activities with important public occasions. September 27, World Tourism Day will focus on cleanliness at tourist destinations and other high-footfall locations. September 28 and 29 will focus on Swachhata Se Samriddhi, while September 30 will be observed through the Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir.

Assam will join the nationwide “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” initiative on October 1 when Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Mayors, elected representatives, government functionaries, youth, sportspersons and citizens will participate in voluntary Shramdaan. The MoHUA calendar has scheduled the nationwide activity from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

On October 2, Swachh Bharat Diwas will be observed with public participation and programmes centred on the message of Mahatma Gandhi on Swachhata. Special council meetings will be held in Urban Local Bodies, alongside initiatives to nurture urban greenery under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”.

Minister Kaushik Rai said the real test of the campaign would lie in what continues after October 17. He called for greater attention to regular waste segregation, responsible disposal, clean public spaces and changes in everyday habits so that cleanliness becomes part of normal community life.

He appealed to people across Assam to participate actively in Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 and carry its message beyond the campaign period, turning cleanliness into a sustained Jan Andolan.