Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Sep 18: Urban development minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday announced that the state government will soon roll out a new initiative to honour the cleanest municipalities in Goa, with cash awards and development incentives worth crores of rupees.

Speaking at the launch of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign, Rane said the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) will institute prizes of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 3 lakh for the top three municipalities in the state. The winning municipality will also receive a development project worth up to Rs 2 crore, facilitated through the Goa State Urban Development Agency.

As part of the campaign, the minister also announced comprehensive medical check-ups for safai karmacharis across all urban bodies. The health tests, to be conducted at Goa Medical College (GMC), will include necessary follow-up treatment, ensuring that sanitation workers receive long-term healthcare benefits.

Rane called on all municipalities to learn from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), which has successfully implemented 16-way waste segregation, with plans to extend it to 30 categories. “We don’t need experts from outside Goa. The CCP commissioner himself can explain the system to other municipalities. Imagine a Goa where you cannot see garbage strewn around,” he remarked.

Highlighting the importance of ownership at the local level, the minister said the Swachhata Abhiyan should be maintained by municipalities without the constant monitoring of central government officials. “When the campaign began, people laughed at those holding brooms. Today, it has become a case study in success. Every chief officer and councillor must take responsibility for monitoring it,” he stressed.

Rane further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachhata campaign has brought dignity to the labour of safai karmacharis, and Goa must lead by example in sustaining this mission.