New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS): A special cleaning drive has been started by the defence ministry under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) to encourage employees to ensure the highest degree of cleanliness and hygiene at the workplace.

An official statement released Thursday said that in the first phase of the campaign, officers up to the level of deputy secretary and directors started the cleanliness campaign with brooms and dusters in their hands cleaning corridors and rooms of Sena Bhawan in New Delhi.

Some officers were also seen cleaning the office premises and tables with different cleaning agents.

A seminar on the importance of cleanliness was also organised.

"Ministry of Defence has decided to organise a series of events in the forthcoming days under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," a statement said.

These cleaning campaigns are being held in the run up to the launch of "Swachh Bharat Mission", a campaign to clean India on Oct 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.