In a proud moment for the state of Manipur, Jiribam Municipal Council has been honoured with the title of “Most Promising Town” at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024–25, held recently in New Delhi. The award, conferred by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), underscores Jiribam’s exemplary efforts in achieving significant progress in sanitation, cleanliness, and community participation.
The prestigious award ceremony took place in the esteemed presence of Her Excellency the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, bringing together top-performing urban local bodies from across the country to celebrate their commitment to the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
Jiribam Leads by Example in Manipur
Among the 27 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Manipur, Jiribam has emerged as a beacon of sustainable sanitation practices and public participation. The town, with a population under 20,000, ranked first among 21 small towns in the North Eastern Region, reinforcing its leadership in grassroots-level cleanliness initiatives.
Nationally, Jiribam secured the 174th rank out of 2,035 towns in its category—a remarkable achievement that reflects the collective efforts of its municipal leadership, sanitation workers, and the people of the town.
The Municipal Council has also received dual recognition from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, earning certifications as a ‘Garbage Free City’ (GFC) with a 3-Star rating and as an ODF++ (Open Defecation Free Plus Plus) town—affirming its high standards in solid waste management, sanitation infrastructure, and citizen engagement.
High-Level Representation at the National Stage
A delegation from Manipur, led by RK Dinesh Singh, Principal Secretary of the Directorate of Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD), was present at the national event to receive the award. He was joined by Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director (MAHUD), S. Shanti Devi, Chairperson of Jiribam Municipal Council, and Moirangthem Surjit, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council.
The dignitaries accepted the honour on behalf of the people of Manipur and the hardworking teams on the ground who have worked tirelessly over the years to improve urban sanitation and drive forward the vision of a cleaner, greener future.
Speaking on the occasion, MAHUD officials highlighted that the recognition is not just a victory for Jiribam but a collective milestone for the state. “Jiribam’s achievement proves what is possible when communities come together with a shared vision of progress. It is an inspiration for all other ULBs in Manipur,” said a senior official from the Directorate.
Strategic Discussions on Urban Development
Following the award ceremony, the Manipur delegation also participated in a brainstorming session hosted by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The meeting brought together state-level leaders and ULB representatives from across India to review the progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
Key focus areas of the session included:
- Accelerating implementation of sanitation and housing schemes
- Ensuring outcome-based monitoring to track effectiveness
- Encouraging innovation in waste management, housing development, and citizen awareness initiatives
The Union Minister urged all states to align their urban policies with the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, which emphasizes sustainability, technology-driven solutions, and robust public-private partnerships.
The Manipur team shared its learning experiences and outlined steps taken under state-led urban development programs. Jiribam’s success was cited as a case study in how smaller towns, when empowered, can achieve national excellence through grassroots mobilization and local governance.
Citizens at the Heart of the Mission
The people of Jiribam have played a vital role in this journey. From adopting responsible waste segregation practices to actively participating in community clean-up drives and awareness campaigns, the town’s residents have demonstrated a deep sense of ownership over their surroundings.
The Municipal Council’s initiatives included:
- Door-to-door garbage collection and segregation drives
- Regular sanitation audits and cleanliness reviews
- Installation of community toilets and waste bins across strategic locations
- Awareness campaigns in schools, markets, and neighbourhoods
- Involving local women’s groups and self-help collectives in sanitation planning
Chairperson S. Shanti Devi expressed gratitude to the citizens of Jiribam and the sanitation workers for their continuous support and dedication. “This award belongs to every individual in Jiribam. It is their discipline, participation, and resilience that have made this honour possible,” she stated.
Statewide Recognition and Future Plans
The Directorate of MAHUD, Government of Manipur, has extended its congratulations to the people and leadership of Jiribam. In a statement, the Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening urban governance, promoting sustainable waste management, and fostering active citizen participation across all Urban Local Bodies in the state.
RK Dinesh Singh noted that the state is already working on replicating the successful models of Jiribam in other municipalities through capacity-building workshops, data-driven planning, and leveraging support from Central Government schemes.
Going forward, MAHUD aims to upgrade more towns in Manipur to GFC-certified status and strengthen efforts toward achieving universal sanitation coverage under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and PMAY (Urban) schemes.
A Vision for Cleaner Towns
The recognition of Jiribam as the “Most Promising Town” serves as a testament to what strategic planning, public engagement, and political will can achieve in urban sanitation. It also places Manipur firmly on the national map of high-performing states under the Swachh Bharat initiative.
As the state continues its journey toward cleaner and more sustainable towns, Jiribam’s example offers a roadmap for others to follow—one that puts community at the centre of urban transformation.
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