Swachh Survekshan Awards: MCD jumps 59 places, NDMC bags ‘Super Swachh League City Award'
The MCD secured the 31st position in the 'Medium Cities' category in the ninth edition of the world's largest urban sanitation – it jumped 59 places in the survey compared to last year's ranking (90).
However, MCD Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh said efforts are being made to bag the first position next year, as he blamed the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. 'We're not very happy since our Standing Committee could not be formed due to the AAP… as a result, the Capital was not cleared properly,' he said. The municipal corporation, one of the world's largest, has called for better firms to be hired to make the city clean.
Meanwhile, the NDMC bagged the 'Super Swachh League City Award' at the event held at Vigyan Bhawan on Thursday. The award, presented by President Droupadi Murmu and Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, was jointly received by Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra, and NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal, an official statement said.
The municipal council was recognised under the category of cities with a population between 50,000 and 3 lakh for its exemplary work in urban sanitation, waste management, and green initiatives, as per the NDMC statement.
'This achievement has been made possible with the tireless dedication of Swachhta Sevaks, Sanitation and Horticulture teams, Engineers Wings, PMU experts, planners, and the active participation of citizens,' the statement read.
'This award is a testament to NDMC's continued efforts to set benchmarks in cleanliness, service standards, and civic excellence. I congratulate our employees, especially our Safai Sevaks, whose relentless hard work has earned us this national recognition. Let us continue to strive for a cleaner, greener, and healthier New Delhi,' said Chahal.
In 2020, the NDMC was declared the 'Cleanest Capital City' among all states and union territories that were surveyed.
'This time, we focused on the creation of RRR centres (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and waste segregation at the source. We ran campaigns for e-waste and construction and demolition waste,' an NDMC official said, adding that 28,000 students and 4,000 teachers of the corporation's schools were also involved in raising awareness to keep the environment clean. 'Community participation was a key factor.'
An annual exercise since 2016, the Swachh Survekshan is conducted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.
This year's edition saw participation from 4,589 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), a significant increase of 73 cities from the time when the survey was first launched.
The survey, for the first time this year, introduced a classification of cities into five population categories – Very Small Cities (less than 20,000), Small Cities (20,000-50,000), Medium Cities (50,000-3 lakh), Big Cities (3-10 lakh) and Million-Plus Cities (more than 10 lakh).
The theme was 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,' and emphasised waste management and sustainable sanitation practices.
According to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, 14 crore people participated in the survey through face-to-face interactions, the Swachhata and MyGov apps, and various social media platforms across more than 4,500 cities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
32 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt won't humour gallows claim, Oppn refuses to yield
In a high-voltage session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, chief minister Rekha Gupta launched a stinging attack on the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over what she alleged was a 'fabricated and disgraceful' attempt to distort history by allegedly falsely labelling a part of the Assembly complex as a 'Phansi Ghar' (execution chamber). Delhi Legislative assembly speaker Vijender Gupta led a guided media tour of the space on Wednesday, showing old blueprints from the National Archives that mark the room as a lift shaft. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) Gupta ordered an inquiry and a first information report to look into the matter and said that ₹1.04 crore of public funds were allegedly spent on constructing and promoting the site, and the money must be recovered. She demanded that the structure at the centre of the debate be removed before the All India Speakers' Conference, which is set to take place at the Assembly complex on August 24–25. Addressing the House, she accused former CM Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating an elaborate political spectacle to gain public sympathy. 'There is no history, no document, no evidence that proves any part of this building ever served as a gallows. Kejriwal wore the mask of patriotism and sacrifice while misleading people with a staged drama,' Gupta said. The alleged 'Fansi Ghar' was unveiled by the AAP government in 2022. But Gupta cited historical records that show the Assembly building, constructed in 1912, served as the venue for the Imperial Legislative Council from 1913 to 1926. She said the area in question was merely a service shaft used to deliver tiffins of food to British officers and never intended or used for executions. She said the real site of Delhi Jail, where executions did take place during the British Raj, was located at the present-day Maulana Azad Medical College. 'To falsely inscribe such a claim within a constitutional institution is not just misleading, it is an insult to martyrs who actually gave their lives for the country,' she added. Gupta insisted that the structure and the signage be removed before hosting national dignitaries at the upcoming conference. 'We cannot afford to present a falsified history to the nation's lawmakers,' she said. Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta also denounced the installation, and said, 'There was never any 'Fansi Ghar' here. What we see is a colonial-era lift shaft used to deliver food. That's all.' He led a guided media tour of the space, showing old blueprints from the National Archives that mark the room as a lift shaft. He said the Assembly building, designed by British architect E Montague Thomas and built under contractor Faqir Chand, was completed in just eight months in 1912. 'The Assembly has a rich history, even Mahatma Gandhi attended three sessions here. Crores were spent promoting a false narrative that undermines this institution's legacy,' he said, holding up a April 7, 1931 edition of Hindustan Times that reported on Gandhi's visit. 'Crores of rupees were spent on this false narrative. This is not just a waste of public money. It undermines the sanctity of this institution,' he said. Meanwhile, the AAP hit back, accusing the BJP government of using the Assembly as a platform for theatrics while neglecting urgent public issues. Leader of Opposition Atishi said, 'For three days, the BJP has hijacked Assembly proceedings to obsess over a staircase. Meanwhile, rising crime, illegal demolitions, inflated school fees, and vehicle deregistration are all being ignored.' She said the BJP government was deliberately avoiding accountability and turning the Assembly into a stage for political theatre. 'If the BJP is serious about history, they should form a committee of historians and archaeologists. Not a single person here is qualified to speak on this topic. The Assembly is meant to address real issues affecting the people, not indulge in distractions,' she added. Atishi said AAP MLAs were being silenced and evicted when they tried to raise public concerns. 'Why won't this government talk about jhuggi demolitions, school fee hikes, or the registration cancellation of old vehicles? Every time we raise these matters, we are thrown out of the House,' she said. She also cited writings by Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, who documented in the context of the 1857 revolt that the British had executed Indians not only in jails but also in other hidden sites like offices and school buildings. 'Despite this, the BJP seems more interested in defending colonial narratives than confronting real governance challenges,' she said. The origins of the 'Fansi Ghar' claim go back to 2021 when then Speaker Ram Niwas Goel announced the discovery of an underground tunnel connecting the Assembly with the Red Fort. In 2022, the AAP government inaugurated the alleged execution chamber, claiming it was used during British rule. Professional historians who attended Wednesday's session from the visitors' gallery also rejected the claim. Professor in the department of history with the Delhi UniversityManisha Chaudhary, said, 'The layout map from the National Archives demarcates this area as a lift. Also, structurally, for hanging a person, you have to take them to the top and make them stand on a platform before that does not seem to be there. Also, it is very unlikely that executions would be allowed in full view at a public space where elected representatives are holding discussions,' said Chaudhary. She explained that typically a 'Fansi Ghar' or execution space is located close to a jail so that the prisoners do not need to be taken far, considering the safety. 'All such places also maintain elaborate manuals and records of the hanging, details of the prisoner and the executioner, hanging orders, a doctor who confirms death and details of the officers present,' Chaudhary said.
Hindustan Times
32 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Who's he to stop us?' AAP MP on Trump tariffs, penalty for buying oil from Russia
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Wednesday strongly criticised United States President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% additional tariff on Indian products, calling it "illogical" and accusing Washington, DC, of applying "double standards" in its trade policies. Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal also suggested that the current situation could also open up new avenues for the Indian economy.(File/Sansad TV) Mittal defended India's purchase of oil from Russia and questioned the legitimacy of US criticism. Mittal said, "Yes, we are purchasing oil from Russia. Who is he to stop us? He himself is purchasing uranium, certain critical metals from Russia. His allies, European countries, are purchasing oil from Russia. China is purchasing oil from can't have double standards, double policies. He will have to withdraw his illogical orders, illogical tariffs." Mittal asserted that Indian industry is "competent enough" and will find "alternative ways to sell the products." He said, "The US has imposed a 50% total tariff on Indian products. Of course, this will hurt the Indian industry in the short term. But our entrepreneurs, our businessmen, our industrialists are competent enough, strong enough. They will find alternative ways to sell the products." He suggested that the current situation could also open up new avenues for the Indian economy. "We may increase consumption in India, we are 1.4 billion populations and we can find some more markets. Rather, it may give us opportunities. Indian economy is growing 6 to 8 % per year, and its effect on GDP will be maximum 0.2, meaning nothing as per our growth, and we will easily absorb this deficiency in our growth and find other ways." His reaction comes after, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency." Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated. India has termed the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. (ANI)
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- The Hindu
CM demands over ₹1 cr. recovery from Kejriwal over ‘fake' phansi-ghar
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday called for a thorough inquiry and demanded that the ₹1.04 crore spent by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on a British-era 'fake' 'phansi-ghar' (execution room) at the Delhi Assembly be recovered from former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Terming the move a 'deception of people' and an 'insult to martyrs', Ms. Gupta said the installation was based on no official documentation and essentially a repurposed 'tiffin room' falsely portrayed as a historic phansi-ghar to mislead the public. During a discussion in the Assembly, she said an FIR should be registered against Mr. Kejriwal and the structure be removed before August 25. Noting that the phansi-ghar was inaugurated on August 9, 2022, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said the 1911-12 building map accessed from the National Archives clearly marked the space as a tiffin room. 'I challenge AAP to find one historian who can verify it was an execution room,' he said. 'Distortion of heritage' 'Such tiffin rooms are in other offices too. You will know about them if you conduct an inquiry. Without any documents, it was declared as an execution room. We are ashamed of this. He [Kejriwal] had a disease of lying,' the CM said, terming it a 'distortion of heritage'. AAP legislator Sanjeev Jha said many execution rooms from the British era are not officially recorded and accused the ruling party of 'standing with the British'.
