Haryana CM launches state-wide cleanliness drive ahead of PM Modi's July 17 visit

Panchkula, Jul 13 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday launched a state-wide cleanliness drive from Panchkula ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the state on July 17 and called upon citizens to make cleanliness a people's movement. Saini inaugurated the campaign by sweeping an area in front of the Sector-20 market in Panchkula. He also collected garbage to promote scientific waste disposal and planted a sapling to highlight the importance of environmental conservation. Addressing reporters, the chief minister said cleanliness was a collective responsibility and urged people to keep their homes, neighbourhoods, markets and public places clean while ensuring proper waste management. He said the special cleanliness campaign would continue across Haryana from July 13 to July 17 to take the message of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to every household. Ministers, MPs, MLAs, local public representatives and party office-bearers will participate in the drive across the state, he added. Saini said Prime Minister Modi's visit to Haryana was a matter of pride for the state. During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to flag off a hydrogen-powered train and inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects. On climate change, the chief minister referred to the Prime Minister's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and appealed to people to plant and nurture at least one sapling in honour of their mothers. Saini said he had pledged to plant at least 100 saplings wherever he visits and participated in a plantation drive in Panchkula as part of the campaign. PTI VSD NB NB