Context

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs launched Swachhata Pakhwada, from 16th to 30th April, 2024.

• Swachhata Pledge: The launch of Swachhata Pakhwada was marked by administration of Swachhata Pledge to all the Officers/ officials of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi.
• Objective: The event highlighted the importance of Swachhata in all walks of our personal and social life.

Key Activities Proposed to be Undertaken

• Review of Pending files: During this period, all pending physical files of the Ministry would be reviewed/recorded and weeded out if so required. 
• Cleanliness of Rooms: Special Cleanliness drive would be undertaken in rooms. Old and obsolete electronic and other items would be collected and auctioned, if required.
  • Swachhata campaign inside/outside the rooms/chambers allotted to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
• Intra School Essay Competition: It has been proposed to conduct an Intra-School Essay Competition in one of the identified schools in Delhi during Swachhata Pakhwada. 
  • This is being done with the objective to make the youth more aware about the importance and efficacy of Swachhata all around.
• Award Ceremony: The Pakhwada will conclude on 30th April, 2024 with distribution of Prizes by Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to the top three sections who stood best on Swachhata parameters.

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About Swachhata Pakhwada

• Launch: The initiative was launched in April 2016, by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (now under the Ministry of Jal Shakti). 
• Aim: To dedicate a fortnight to intensively highlight cleanliness issues and practices by involving various Government of India Ministries/Departments within their respective jurisdictions.
• Monitoring: The activities during Swachhata Pakhwada are rigorously overseen through the Swachhata Samiksha online monitoring system, where action plans, photos, and videos pertaining to cleanliness efforts are uploaded and disseminated.
• Coverage: All ministries participate in this initiative, ensuring a comprehensive government-wide effort to promote Swachhata (cleanliness).