Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that cleanliness should become an integral part of everyday public behavior rather than remaining confined to campaign periods. During a virtual meeting with secretaries and senior officials from both ministries, he directed officials to ensure public participation, behavioral change, and measurable outcomes in cleanliness activities.
The Minister stressed that Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 requires extensive public participation to ensure effectiveness and sustainability. He specifically called for connecting rural areas, panchayats, and field-level offices with cleanliness activities and ensuring participation from farmers, rural communities, sanitation workers, and media stakeholders. Chouhan emphasized that activities should produce clear and measurable outcomes with systematic documentation, including before-and-after photographs to demonstrate tangible results.
Officials reported that the Department of Agriculture's activities under Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 from September 16 to October 2 included cleanliness pledges, Swachh Pathshala activities, youth participation, solid waste management, and intensive cleaning of office premises. The disposal and auction of old furniture and electronic waste generated revenue of approximately ₹15 lakh. Additional initiatives included honoring sanitation workers, conducting health check-ups for them, and organizing activities for their children.
For the Special Campaign scheduled from October 2 to October 31, 2026, all departments set targets for disposal of pending files and cases, reduction of pending matters, disposal of scrap and e-waste, better utilization of office space, and removal of unusable material. Unused computers, printers, and other electronic equipment will be identified and processed for disposal according to prescribed rules, with regular progress reviews and documentation.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) reported conducting a large-scale cleanliness campaign at the Pusa campus with participation from officers, employees, and students. Similar activities are being conducted across all ICAR institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), using the KVK network to connect farmers and rural communities with cleanliness, waste management, and environmental awareness initiatives.
Minister Chouhan concluded by calling for continuous cleanliness efforts beyond campaign periods, emphasizing that success should be measured by behavioral change, public participation, and sustainable outcomes that continue after the campaign concludes.