A review meeting on the progress of SBM (G) implementation in North Eastern Region under the chairmanship of Union Minister Shri C R Paatil, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India was held on 12th November 2024 at Hotel Radisson Blu, Guwahati, Assam, to review the implementation and status of Swach Bharat Mission in the eight North Eastern States.
Mr. Arun Kumar Upreti, Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development Department, Government of Sikkim led the delegation for Sikkim which comprised of Secretary RDD, Ms. Norzing Tshering, Special Secretary -cum- Mission Director, Ms. Benu Gurung, Chief Engineer, Ms Neelam Rai, Additional Secretary, SBM, Ms Tshering Lhaden Lachungpa.
During the deliberations, the Hon’ble Minister, Mr Arun Kumar Upreti spoke on the challenges being faced by all hill States during the implementation of SBM. He requested for special dispensation on account of the high cost of raw materials and labour. He further requested for support on water source sustainability.
He also highlighted on the priority given by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) on Sanitation and its implementation on mission mode as it is a priority of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Ministry appreciated the fact that Sikkim is the only ODF Plus Model State in the entire North East and they suggested that other States should visit Sikkim to take learning from them