President Ram Nath Kovind is set to honour around 342 cities that have been conferred star rating for being garbage-free and clean in ‘Swachh Survekshan 2021’.

Key Points

• Union ministry of housing & urban affairs (MOHUA) has been organising “Swachh Amrit Mahotsav” to felicitate the cities.
• Event will be organised at Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital.
• Swachh Amrit Mahotsav will also pay tribute to sanitation workers by means of recognising top performing cities under ‘Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge’.

Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge

Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge an initiative launched by ministry to promote mechanised cleaning of septic tanks and sewers besides preventing ‘hazardous cleaning’ in which a person enters them.

World’s largest cleanliness survey

Swachh Survekshan 2021 has become the world’s largest cleanliness survey by surveying around 4320 cities. In 2016, it surveyed 73 major cities in 2016. 2021 edition was conducted in just 28 days despite on-ground challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic.