Cleanliness campaign to be launched Oct. 2

New Delhi: The Centre has directed all state governments and Union Territories to launch a year- long National Cleanliness Campaign in the country to inculcate the habit of cleanliness in the people during the Gandhi Centenary year.

The campaign is to be inaugurated on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, which marks the beginning of the Centenary Year, and to be sustained throughout the year.

The National Cleanliness Day is being celebrated in the country on October 2 every year. It has been observed from the reports received from the State Governments, local bodies, and voluntary organisations that the cleanliness drive carried out during the week or fortnight commencing from the day helps a good deal in improving sanitation of the areas where such drive is organised.

At the same time, it is felt that a lot more remains to be done in the matter of sanitation in cities, towns and villages and inculcation of a general habit of cleanliness among the people which should ultimately get established in their behaviour pattern. Once this is achieved, there will be no need for organising cleanliness drive as heretofore.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Planning has drawn up a nine- point action programme to be initiated on the Gandhi Jayanti Day and sustained throughout the Centenary Year.