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pti
New Delhi
About 58 lakh pensioners are being roped in by the Centre for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' to ensure that the target of total sanitation is met by October, 2019.
The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has written to all central government pensioners' associations across the country to be part of 'Clean India fortnight' to sensitise their members on cleanliness in their neighbourhood. Those interested in being part of the programme will be asked to devote 100 hours per year--i.e. two hours per week.
"It is a key initiative to improve health and cleanliness in the nation. In order to succeed, it has to become a people's movement by ensuring sustainable change in the behaviour of citizens. It is, therefore, important that all efforts are made to mobilise people's participation and to ensure that the mission truly becomes a citizens' movement," the Ministry said in a letter to the associations.
Central government pensioners are a very significant constituent of society in view of their numbers, geographical spread and important position in society, it said."You can make a great contribution and impact in society in various ways. It is suggested that various activities relating to Swachhta such as cleaning of surroundings, organising workshops, cleanliness drives etc be organised. Award functions etc in associations, social clubs, resident welfare associations may be organised," the letter said.
There are about 58 lakh central government pensioners in the country. The pensioners have been asked to organise a mass pledge by members of their associations."I will devote 100 hours per year that is two hours per week to voluntary work for cleanliness. I will neither litter nor let others litter," reads the pledge.
