New Delhi, July 29 : A total of 3,53,788 students from 14,141 schools and colleges have participated in the competition campaign in urban areas in the country to create awareness of the Swatch Bharat programme, according to a release of the Ministry of Urban Development.
Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Goa are in the forefront of generating awareness about Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas.
Of the 15 States and Union Territories that have undertaken awareness campaign in urban areas at the behest of the Union Ministry of Urban Development, these six States have emerged as lead performers.
Under the awareness generation campaign launched, 1,129 urban local bodies from 15 States and UTs have organized quiz contests to sensitize students about the Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas and also the need for cleanliness, during the last week.
Karnataka led the campaign with the participation of 96,524 students in the competition followed by Delhi (47,000), Tamil Nadu (45,650), Madhya Pradesh (45,302), Goa (35,000) and Andhra Pradesh (30,871).
A total Prize Money of Rs.54.95 lakhs has been distributed for the winners of the Quiz Competition. The next round of competition will be held in the first week of August, 2015.
Awareness generation in urban areas is a priority area under the implementation of Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas with a total cost of Rs.66,009 crores, out of which Rs.1,800 crore has been earmarked for IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities.
The Ministry of Urban Development has so far released Rs.160 cr to
States and UTs. (ANI)