Baramulla, August 06:
Director General, Rural Sanitation, Jammu & Kashmir, Ms. Anoo Malhotra, today visited Baramulla and chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and the overall progress of rural sanitation initiatives in the district.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Baramulla, Mudassir Hussain, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Shabir Ahmad Hakak, Block Development Officers, Assistant Engineers and other officers and officials associated with the implementation of the mission.
At the outset, the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation highlighting the district’s physical and financial progress under SBM(G), the status of the Annual Implementation Plan, progress of ongoing works, tendering of approved projects, completion of spillover works, functionality of sanitation assets, and updating of assets on the IMIS and mWater portals. The presentation also covered the progress of major sanitation infrastructure, including DEWATS and Plastic Waste Management Units.
After reviewing the presentation, the Director General directed the concerned officers to ensure that all targets under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) are achieved within the prescribed timelines, both physically and financially. She instructed that all approved works should be tendered and allotted within one week to avoid delays in execution and to accelerate implementation on the ground.
Stressing the importance of sustainability, Ms. Anoo Malhotra directed the officers to ensure that all assets created under the mission remain fully functional through regular monitoring, maintenance and timely updating on the designated online portals.
Highlighting the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas, she called for strict enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic in Gulmarg and directed the establishment of a check post at Tangmarg to strengthen monitoring and prevent the movement of banned plastic items into the tourist destination.
The Director General also emphasized the identification of bulk waste generators and effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to strengthen scientific plastic waste management and improve environmental sustainability.
DG urged all officers to work in close coordination, maintain regular field monitoring and ensure quality execution of sanitation projects so that the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) are achieved in a timely and sustainable manner.