TFP Bureau, Raipur; March 7, 2024: A state-level one-day workshop on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and Industry Collaboration for Rural Sanitation’ concluded successfully, organized by the State Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) Chhattisgarh in partnership with WaterAid India, Chhattisgarh. The workshop took place at a private hotel in the capital city of Raipur on Wednesday.
The event aimed to enlighten industry representatives about the ongoing initiatives of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) and to foster collaboration towards rural sanitation efforts. Principal Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Mrs. Niharika Barik Singh, along with Mission Director Mrs. Padmini Bhoi, graced the workshop alongside representatives from WaterAid India and various industries.
During the workshop, attendees were briefed on the guidelines of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural), which allows for the allocation of 33 percent of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support the nation’s goal of achieving open defecation-free status. Industry representatives were encouraged to participate in awareness campaigns, cleanliness exhibitions, fairs, and the construction of sanitation parks.
Additionally, discussions centered on providing further incentives to rural households through sanitation materials distribution, supporting sanitation facilities through local organizations, and constructing community sanitation complexes. Detailed insights were shared on the maintenance of solid and liquid waste assets, emphasizing the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
Furthermore, the workshop addressed the need to extend support to create model villages with Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, establish business models for community sanitation structures, and manage faecal sludge treatment plants effectively. The discussions also covered budget allocation, maintenance of liquid waste units, operation of plastic waste management units, and collaboration in waste transportation efforts.
