Chikiti wins third time in a row, Aska secures maiden victory
In the national ranking, the NAC town of Chikiti in the district stood second in the small cities category (with less than 20,000 population). Both the towns secured three-star ranking in the category of garbage-free city certification, conducted by the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoUHA) to assess cleanliness and sanitation of cities and towns across the country.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to the urban local bodies (ULB) at an event organized by MoHUA in New Delhi on Thursday.
While Aska was awarded the first time, Chikiti NAC got the award for the third time.
"Today is a proud moment for all Aska residents as the urban local body was adjudged as the first cleanest city in the state and second in the country. It was only possible due to the active cooperation of the people and the ULB staff's sincere work," Aska NAC's chairperson Bineta Swain, who received the award in Delhi, said.
Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra, Aska NAC's executive officer, said they would try to get a five-star rating under the garbage-free city category next year.
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Deepa Kumari Sahu, the chairperson of Chikiti NAC who was also in New Delhi, said the award was dedicated to the people of Chikiti. "Due to their cooperation and dedication of the staff, the town got a national award for the third time in a row," she added.
Manohar Lal, Union minister for urban and housing affairs, and Tokhan Sahu, the minister of state, were also present at the event.
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