Dentam Block observes Swachhata Utsav on 03 Nov

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: The six Gram Panchayats under Dentam Block observed Swachhata Utsav from 02 Oct-04 Nov which concluded with the simultaneous cleanliness and sanitation awareness programmes at Dentam Bazaar, Hee Bazzar and Uttarey Bazaar on 03 Nov, informs a press release.
The month long awareness programme on sanitation was organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India and Rural Management & Development Department, Government of Sikkim.
The theme for the sanitation utsav that was to be observed over a month all over India had the themes namely, propagating construction and use of toilets by all, sustaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status of all Nirmal Gram Panchayats, safe disposal of child faeces and cleanliness of villages through solid and waste management, the release informs.
The simultaneous sanitation awareness functions held on 03 Nov at Dentam, Hee and Uttarey had identically themed awareness programmes on sanitation which were participated by the schools, NGOs, ASHA EDC, Panchayats, Bazaar Committee Members and local gentries.
There was an interactive programme on sanitation at these venues followed by rallies showing banners, placards on sanitation which later concluded with extensive cleanliness drive in the bazaar and surrounding areas, according to the release.
The programme at Dentam was attended by Zilla Member, Bishal Thatal, as the chief guest and MO, Dentam Hospital, Suihangma Subba, Headmaster, Khandu Secondary School, JP Chettri, Teacher, Bongten JHS, Tenzing Lecpha, PGT, Dentam SSS, Deepak Subba, Field Facilitator, Arvind Thapa as resource persons on sanitation.
The Dentam GPU handed over cheques of Rs.5000, Rs.4000 and Rs.3000 to Dentam SSS, Begha JHS and Mount Kanchen Academy respectively for the upkeep of school toilets and awareness on sanitation in schools. Similarly, the Shanku Radhu Khandu, Bongten Sapong and Gyaten Karmatar Gram Panchayats provided equivalent amounts to seven schools under them. These grants have been provided under the 13th Finance Commission grants, the release mentions.
At Hee Bazaar, the resource persons included Principal Hee Yangthang SSS, ADO-Dentam BAC, Panchayat Inspector, Mahendra Chettri. The Hee GPU also provided grants to Hee Yangthang SSS, Mount Zion School and Pole Star English School of Rs.5000, Rs.2500 and Rs.2500 respectively.
The programme at Uttarey Bazaar saw the presence of more than two hundred people who participated in awareness and cleanliness drive, the release informs. The programme there was attended by former Zilla Member, LP Subba as the chief guest and HM-Mukrung SS, Bijay Subba, In-charge-Uttarey Outpost as resource persons.
The programme at Uttarey was organized by Maneybong Sopakha GPU, one of the performing Gram Panchayats of Sikkim which has a Panchayat Shree Awardee President, Maina Kumari Subba. The Maneybong Sopakha GPU also handed over the cheques for Rs.5000 each to Mukrung SS and Sopakha JHS while Rs.2025 was given to Ganga Bahadur Rai for constructing his household lavatory as an incentive.
These simultaneous observations of Swachhata Utsav was initiated and coordinated by the Block Development Officer-Dentam Block, Himmat Rai who had earlier participated in the programme held at Dentam and later at Uttarey who highlighted the need for massive public awareness on sanitation and garbage management to sustain the 1st Nirmal Rajya Purasakar status in its true sense.
The release further mentions that proper garbage management and sensitization on sanitation in small bazaars and villages has become a challenge for the civil society and will have a negative bearing on eco-tourism and other thrust social sectors. Keeping the areas of Dentam clean has become important especially when Dentam has a lot to offer as an important tourist destination of West Sikkim.
A large number of domestic and foreign tourists visit the sprawling Dentam-Kalej Valley, Hee-Chaya Taal beautiful Uttary with one of the top ten trails in world- the Shinghalila Trek ,the Dentam-Chewa Bhanzang-Foktay Trail, the Changey Falls and the Singshore Bridge-the second highest bridge in Asia. The proposed Nepal-Sikkim trade via Chewa Bhanjyang also runs from Dentam-Uttarey stretch and hence the need of sustained management of waste and sanitation in these areas cannot be over emphasized.
The concept of Community Led Total Sanitation-CLTS at all levels has to be followed so that each and every member of the society is partner and responsible contributor to sanitation, said the BDO according to the release. The BDO has also thanked all the PWD workers in Dentam, Health & Family Department in Dentam, ASHA EDCs, schools, Panchayats, RDAs, ADC(Development)West, Sanitation Cell-RMDD and all others for their support and participation in the Swachhata Utsav programmes that were organized simultaneously at various places.
The programme at Dentam was also attended by Bazaar Officer (WEST),UD&HD, AB Gurung and it was decided that the throwing of household garbage into drains will be completely banned in Dentam Bazaar and anyone defying the order are liable to fine and imprisonment as per the law of the land.
Further, the release adds that payment of garbage user charge by shops owners, hoteliers at Dentam will be linked with the renewal and issuance of trade licenses by Gram Panchayats if felt necessary. All the six Gram Panchayats under Dentam Block passed a resolution to meet every three months for reviewing the sensitization of sanitation and personal hygiene in their respective wards.