Motivate staff to ensure cleanliness: Centre to states

All state governments have been asked by the Centre to motivate their employees to be part of Narendra Modi government's ambitious 'Clean India' campaign.

"There are guidelines issued by the Prime Minister's Office. The secretary, department of personnel and training, has informed all chief secretaries of of all the states to motivate employees under them," minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions Jitendra Singh said in Delhi on Monday Singh, who was participating in 'Swachh Bharat Mission' or 'Clean India' campaign at gate no 6 of his office in North Block, said all central government employees will take cleanliness pledge on October 2.

These guidelines have been sent to all states too, he said. Singh also broomed the floor as part of the drive.

"This symbolism also has its importance as it serves as a motivation to others," he said when asked whether or not the Prime Minister's initiatives will bring in any result. The Prime Minister will on October 2 launch the campaign.

"You will be surprised to know that as many as 60,000 files have been destroyed in the personnel ministry. Now these files were unwarranted ones. Some information from these files have been digitised," Singh said.

To a question whether or not the drive would stop after October 2, he said cleanliness is a continuous process and it will continue.

"A clean mind lives in clean body. But what is required to do is that there has to be awareness in every common man that it (cleanliness) becomes a permanent stint of one's lifestyle," the Minister said.

Singh said he plans to visit north-eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir to create awareness on the cleanliness drive. All central government employees will be administered 'swachhata shapath' (pledge of cleanliness) in government offices, public functions and events on Gandhi Jayanti, according to a directive issued by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth to all central government secretaries.

"Each ministry should participate in this national endeavour and undertake cleanliness and awareness campaign in a befitting manner," Seth said. The cleanliness drives led by senior officials will be undertaken in all government and public offices, it said.

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/