SHILLONG: Aiming for a cleaner and hygienic Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated and distributed waste collection e-vehicles to various blocks in Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts, on Thursday.
A total of 207 e-vehicles were ceremoniously handed over to Eastern West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, and West Jaintia Hills during the event, with a similar programme planned for the Garo Hills region.
In his address during the handover ceremony, Chief Minister Sangma shed light on the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), aiming to elevate all villages to open defecation free (ODF) Plus status.
Applauding the state’s remarkable progress from a mere 10% to an impressive 84.33% in ODF Plus within nine years, he said, “The distribution of e-vehicles to various communities signifies the government’s commitment to working collaboratively with communities to make a visible impact.”
Additionally, the Chief Minister unveiled a quarterly initiative, starting this quarter, wherein the government and society will join forces to clean towns and villages.
He stressed the cultural importance of cleanliness and urged the revival and preservation of the tradition in tribal and Indian culture. “Cleanliness is not just a habit; it is our culture, our identity,” he proclaimed.
The ceremony was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak, Umroi MLA Damanbait Lamare, Umroi MDC, and senior officials from PHE and Shillong Municipal Board.
Minister Marak echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, outlining the future plans, including installation of individual household washrooms, setting up of Community Sanitary Complex Units, and implementation of Faecal Sludge Management units, among other projects.
