In order to sensitize the cities administration as well
as the citizens about the current state of sanitation and raise awareness about the need for
improvement, Govt of India has announced a National Rating of Class 1 Cities on sanitation
parameters.
Releasing the rating
here yesterday evening, Union Urban Development Minister, Shri Jaipal Reddy said that exercise for the rating initiated in 2009 is a part of National Urban
Sanitation Policy to make Indian cities and towns totally sanitized, healthy and
liveable i.e. they become Nirmal Shahars.
The Minister said the purpose of this exercise is also
to recognize better performers as well as to encourage other cities to perform better. The idea is
to galvanize action in states and cities towards better sanitation. Given the scale of
urbanization and state of sanitation, this is a very timely initiative. He expressed the hope that
all stakeholders would join hands in this national endeavour of creating total
sanitized cities.
Various expert agencies were involved to assess the
status of sanitation on the spot in Class I cities. Data collected and
assessment made by these agencies were further analyzed by technical experts
and rating was done by awarding points for various parameters. On the basis of
their performance, cities have been kept in four categories that are - green,
blue, black and red. No city could qualify in the green category while only
four cities are in blue category.
The Minister noted that there are a number of cities that
could easily cross the red category. The number of such cities is about 60. He
called upon them to initiate actions towards better outcomes so that their ratings show
desired improvements immediately.
Similarly, a significant
number of cities could become BLUE - there are about a dozen such cities. The Minister
urged them to plan and implement measures that will graduate them into the BLUE category in the near future. There are
four cities that are already in the BLUE category. These are Chandigarh, Surat, NDMC and Mysore. Congratulating them for their
efforts, the Minister expressed hope that they would soon become GREEN cities.
Shri
Reddy said that he would write to all the
Chief Ministers to prioritize sanitation. Sanitation is linked human dignity and well-being. Equally it relates to our social and economic
well-being. He expressed the hope that the ratings today will indeed mobilize
all stakeholders to prioritise and take action for improving sanitation.
List of the rating of the class -1 cities on sanitation
parameters is enclosed.
Click here to
see the list of
rating
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NCJ/SR
