Minister for Agriculture Production & Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today participated virtually in a high-level meeting convened by the Union Ministry for Jal Shakti regarding the launch of Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) framework and the planning and preparatory arrangements for upcoming Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign in rural areas.
The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C. R. Patil and attended by senior officers of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Union Ministry for Jal Shakti. From the J&K government, Anoo Malhotra, Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K, along with other senior officers of the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, participated in the meeting.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Union Jal Shakti Minister formally launched the Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) framework.
During the interaction, Javid Ahmad Dar briefed the Union Minister on the preparations being undertaken by Jammu and Kashmir for Swachhata Hi Seva 2026. These included planned activities aimed at strengthening the community participation, promoting behavioural change, improving cleanliness and waste management practices besides ensuring visible and sustainable sanitation outcomes across rural areas.
The Minister highlighted that J&K has already initiated preparations for the campaign and is working on a range of innovative, community-centric and convergence-based activities involving Panchayati Raj Institutions, rural communities, field functionaries and concerned departments. He also apprised the Union Minister of the preparations being undertaken at the grassroots level to make SHS 2026 impactful and inclusive across J&K.
The sanitation arrangements and practices adopted by Jammu and Kashmir during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra were lauded by the Union Ministry during the meeting. The J&K Yatra sanitation model was appreciated as a good practice, with its framework being considered for replication in other States and Union Territories.
The meeting reviewed measures to strengthen rural sanitation services, improve monitoring mechanisms and ensure sustained improvement in sanitation outcomes at the Gram Panchayat level.
Swachh Seva Aankalan (SSA) is an annual digital self-assessment framework for declared ODF Plus (Model) Gram Panchayats, covering key parameters including sustainability of ODF status, solid and liquid waste management, implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, visual cleanliness, operation and maintenance of sanitation assets and functionality of Community Sanitary Complexes. The assessment will be validated through Gram Sabha deliberations to ensure community participation, transparency and accountability.
Javid Dar stressed the need for sustained efforts to strengthen sanitation services at the grassroots level and ensure effective and timely delivery of government initiatives to rural communities. He called for coordinated efforts among concerned departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and field functionaries, with greater community participation to achieve the objectives of SBM-G Phase II.
The Minister also assured the Union Minister that Jammu and Kashmir is fully geared up for both Swachh Seva Aankalan and Swachhata Hi Seva 2026. The administration has initiated comprehensive planning and preparatory activities to ensure their effective implementation and make the campaigns a grand success across the Union Territory.