Latest news with #Swachhata
Fibre2Fashion
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Tripura rolls out compostable PBAT bags to curb plastic use
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced compostable bags made from PBAT, a biodegradable, chemical-free polymer, as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has launched compostable PBAT bags as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Certified by CIPET, the bags decompose within 180 days and are priced at $1.74/kg (wholesale) and $1.92/kg (retail). The initiative, part of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, promotes plastic-free living through innovation, awareness, and community engagement. Certified by the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) for meeting compostability and bio-degradability standards, the bags decompose within 180 days, offering a practical alternative to conventional plastics that can take centuries to break down. Priced at ₹145/kg (~ $1.74/kg) wholesale and ₹160/kg (~ $1.92/kg) retail, the bags are both affordable and accessible. Local authorities are actively engaging with the community to promote the use of compostable bags, reduce plastic pollution, and encourage responsible waste management for a sustainable future, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs said in a release. The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, which is driving innovation across Indian cities through the RRR (Recycle, Reuse, Recover) model. Urban Local Bodies are combining infrastructure, technology, and citizen engagement to promote sustainable, plastic-free lifestyles. Guided by Swabhav, Swachhata, Sanskar, the Mission is driving grassroots change and supporting India's Sustainable Development Goals. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research observes Swachhata Pakhwada 2025
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) observed Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from 1st to 15th May 2025 at its Headquarters in New Delhi and across all its constituents' laboratories/ institutes/units, as part of the Government of India's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at realizing Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean and hygienic India, the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a release on Sunday. As per the release, the 'Swachhata Pakhwada' is a concept inspired by the Prime Minister's vision. The Pakhwada was organised in accordance with the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India The Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 commenced on 1st May 2025 with a pledge-taking ceremony at CSIR Headquarters. The Swachhata pledge was led by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director-General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR in the presence of, Mahendra Kumar Gupta, Joint Secretary (Admin), CSIR, and Chetan Prakash Jain, Financial Advisor, CSIR and all CSIR Hqrs employees. The collective reading of the pledge reaffirmed CSIR's commitment to the values of cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility, and set the tone for the activities that followed over the fortnight. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation and served as a strong motivational start to the Pakhwada. According to the release, during the fortnight, cleanliness drives were conducted across the premises. DG, CSIR, along with all officers and staff of the Headquarters, enthusiastically participated in the cleanliness drive. During the event, the hardworking Safai Mitras were felicitated for their tireless year-round efforts to maintain cleanliness. Special efforts were made to clear construction debris and dispose of scrap. Further, efforts were made to clear pending e-files in the e-office. Heads of Divisions mobilised their teams for this effort, and the IT Division provided hands-on training sessions on e-file parking and closure. As Pakhwada placed particular emphasis on canteen cleanliness, the Civil Section and the canteen staff undertook a revamp of the facility, greatly enhancing the user experience. Other activities such as air conditioning cleaning, water purifier cleaning have also been carried out. For the first time, a Photography Competition was introduced as part of the Pakhwada at CSIR Hqrs, an initiative of the DG of CSIR to promote creative engagement with the theme of cleanliness. Alongside this, other competitions, such as slogan writing, painting, and Kavita path, helped raise awareness in a participatory manner. The Pakhwada concluded on 15th May 2025 with a valedictory function led by the DG of CSIR. Winners of various competitions were acknowledged and felicitated. In her address, the DG of CSIR emphasised that Swachhata is not just a campaign but a way of life that must be reflected in both physical and digital workspaces. She urged all employees to sustain the momentum of the Pakhwada and integrate cleanliness into the organizational culture. According to the release, the end-to-end implementation of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR Hqrs was coordinated by Mayank Mathur, Chief Scientist and nodal officer for Swachhata Activities, and Dr. A.S. Nirmala Devi, Principal Scientist and deputy nodal officer, along with Standing Swachhata Committee Members Dr. P. Rama Rao, Ms. Deepti Sharma Dullu, Vinod, and Avinash Kumar. The successful observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 at CSIR underlines the institute's continued commitment to the national Swachh Bharat Mission and to fostering a clean, efficient, and responsible work environment. (ANI)
Time of India
03-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
GHMC eyes 7-star rating under Swachh Bharat Mission
Hyderabad: Can Hyderabad be the next Indore in cleanliness? Will the city achieve the cleanliness Swachh standards set by cities like Surat? The forthcoming Swachh Survekshan (SS-2024) assessment is set to be a decisive factor in determining the city's progress towards these sanitation benchmarks. Following 3-star and 5-star ratings in 2022 and 2023, respectively, for the garbage-free city category, the GHMC is now eyeing a 7-star rating under the Swachh Bharat Mission . If successful, Hyderabad will be ranked alongside Indore, Mysore, Bhopal, and Vizag as one of the cleanest cities in the country. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad However, GHMC is facing an obstacle in obtaining this coveted rating, as more than 2,000 locations across the city remain vulnerable to garbage accumulation. Following the implementation of the garbage-free city star rating in 2021, GHMC cleared around 600 garbage vulnerable points (GVPs) across the city by removing roadside bins and introducing door-to-door collection services using the Swachh auto tippers that collect waste directly from residences. To address waste disposal, the civic body installed surveillance cameras at GVPs. Recently, GHMC also implemented an e-challan system to impose fines ranging from 100 to 10,000, depending on the offence. These fines will be levied on individuals found disposing of garbage in nalas, dumping construction and demolition waste in open spaces and water bodies. "To deter citizens from waste disposal in open spaces, we have implemented a comprehensive challan management system. In the past 45 days, around 800 challans were issued, resulting in penalties totalling 18.4 lakh. Regarding GVPs, their predominant location near slum settlements poses a challenge. To address this issue, we are deploying 1,000 bins near these locations, with initial implementation already underway in the Old City area," said a senior official in the sanitation wing of GHMC. Under Swachh Survekshan, GHMC marginally improved its ranking from 13 in 2021 to 9 in 2023. Since 2016, when Swachh Survekshan commenced, the civic body achieved notable recognition as the 'Best State Capital/UT in solid waste management' amongst 4,203 cities and secured the top position among five major metropolitan cities in 2019 under a special category. Currently, the evaluation process for the 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS-2024), which focuses on the theme 'Reduce Reuse Recycle', is in progress. While the first three phases of the survey have been completed, some crucial changes have been made in the toolkit under phase 4 assessment, which includes the 'Super Swachh League', a focus on tourist and high footfall places, promoting the integration of Swachhata values within schools, and penalties.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Government to rank districts on road safety parameters
NEW DELHI: Taking a cue from the Swachhata ranking of cities, the govt will carry out ranking of districts on road safety parameters. Road transport minister on Thursday directed his ministry to work out the details for carrying out the exercise which will also determine the best and worst performers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The minister issued this direction while chairing a day-long brainstorming session on road safety with officials from different ministries, state govts and experts. Sources said the ministry will work with the Niti Aayog to finalise the parameters. Gadkari also instructed officials to integrate 'safe school zone' while planning construction and expansion of roads. District road safety committees (DRSCs) will include this provision while evaluating any plan, sources said. DRSCs will play a crucial role in the implementation of the Centre's major schemes such as cashless treatment to road crash victims and giving financial rewards to good samaritans who take crash victims to hospitals for immediate medical care. Sources said responding to a suggestion on the need to have experts to assist DRSCs, road transport secretary V Umashankar said industry bodies such as CII and FICCI can extend their support.
