Gujarat villages cleanest in the western region

Wecan be proud of our villages and rural districts, going by the latest Swachh Survey Grameen. From second place in 2018, Gujarat has gone to numero uno position in the western region. Though the state has fallen nationally by one rank, it still is ranked third among large states in swachhta drive in villages. Three rural districts of Gujarat – Patan, Mahisagar and Panchmahal lead in the western region Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2019.

The survey carried out by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, covers public places like schools, anganwadis, primary health centres, haat/ bazaars, panchayat, SC/ST community toilets and citizen’s perception of swachhta. The survey is conducted by an independent agency to develop ranking of all districts of the country on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters.

The survey covered 638 districts, 17,209 villages, 16,569 anganwadi centres, 7,792 health facilities, 5,182 bazaars, 14,236 religious places and feedback from 12 lakh citizens through IVR. Gujarat stood third in large state category with population of 30 lakh and more. However, none of the districts in the state could make it to the top three in the country. Peddapalli in Telangana, Faridabad and Rewari in Haryana were the top three in the country.

However, Gujarat topped in western region with three districts of Patan, Mahisagar and Panchmahal topping the list. Daman and Diu ranked top as Union Territory. Gujarat was ranked second in the country last year. It has moved one place below to third position. Gujarat also maintained its rank in western region compared to last year’s survey. Patan has improved its position in the region compared to previous year. Satara in Maharasta, which topped last year does not figure in the top three this year. Nasik which was placed third has been replaced by Panchmahal and second position has been taken by Mahisagar district this year.

Haryana tops the survey, followed by Tamil Nadu which has replaced Gujarat in second position.

Gujarat received the award in Delhi on Tuesday as part of World Toilet Day celebrations. The survey was conducted from August 14 to September 30.