Karnal, July 27 -- Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced a new initiative where cities securing the top three positions in the national cleanliness rankings will mentor those at the bottom. The aim is to collectively raise sanitation standards and advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047.

Khattar made the announcement during the Safai Mitra Samman ceremony at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College in Karnal. The event celebrated Karnal municipal corporation's receipt of the President's Award under Swachh Survekshan 2024-25.

He explained that henceforth, the top and bottom-ranked cities will be paired. "Cleanliness rankings will be assessed jointly for both. A top city can retain it...