Swachh bharat Abhiyan: Governemnt officials, ministers keep off campaign in state

Bengaluru: The state government was unenthusiastic in its response to ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendera Modi on Thursday.
Reason: a section of senior bureaucrats and ministers felt that though the initiative was not a "misplaced mission," it ought to take the shape of full-fledged mission like polio eradication drive which was launched by Union minister for health and family welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan about two decades ago.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior bureaucrat said neither the state government nor the central government had sent any circular asking all officials to participate in the cleanliness drive. "In the case of the state government, it had left it to the discretion of bureaucrats to volunteer to take part in the event. As a result of this, many bureaucrats might not have participated in the event.

Above all, the state government declared five days holidays in a row on account of Dasara and Bakrid festivals, which provided an opportunity for most bureaucrats to head to their hometowns. Therefore, many bureaucrats did not take part in this campaign,” the bureaucrat added.

Meanwhile, a senior minister said the Union government's circular clearly called for voluntary participation. "Any such drive will not be successful unless they are followed in a most dedicated manner. Most bureaucrats felt that the Union government needs to tailor this campaign like the one for eradication of polio,” the minister added.