Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission being undertaken in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a talking point in the foreign countries. He said that the mission has helped in creating a positive mindset towards maintaining sanitation in the country. He was addressing the inauguration of the Swachhata Sewa fortnight at his residence on Monday. The CM said that the public participation in the efforts of the government helps in increasing the efficacy of the effort. He said that Uttarakhand is said to be the abode of gods and they reside only where there is cleanliness. Dhami said that the State has established itself as a global tourist destination and tourism and cleanliness are interrelated. Maintaining sanitation also helps in increasing tourist inflow.  The CM said that the sanitation service fortnight is being organised by the State government from September 17 to October 2. He said that the State government is working in the direction of effectively implementing the concept of garbage free India. Dhami expressed hope that Panchayat representatives, social organisations, self help groups and the general public will participate in the programme.

In the programme the CM felicitated 15 village Panchayats and five sanitation workers. The Gram Panchayats were selected from the Swachh Survekshan-Gramin-2023. Congratulating the representatives of the award winning Panchayats, the CM said that their commitment and effort has written a new chapter in cleanliness.

The programme was attended by mayor of Dehradun Sunil Uniyal 'Gama', MLA Savita Kapoor, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, secretary AS Hyanki, urban development director Nitin Bhadauria and others.