In a significant step towards improving hygiene and women empowerment in rural India, Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated 16 sanitation and drinking water facilities in Maharajganj district today. The initiative, under the Government of India’s Cleanliness Mission, aims to benefit over 5,000 girl students in remote areas. The project includes 3 facilities at the Government Girls Inter College and 13 across Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas. It was executed under the supervision of the Varanasi Commissionerate of the Lucknow CGST Zone, with support from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Initiated in FY 2022-23, the project was completed in March 2025. Speaking at the event, Shri Surjit Bhujbal, Member, CBIC, emphasized that access to modern sanitation and clean drinking water would directly enhance attendance and self-confidence among girl students — a vital step toward true empowerment. He praised CPWD for overcoming logistical and geographical challenges to ensure timely and cost-effective completion. “The project was delivered within budget and even saw savings,” he noted. CBIC's Ongoing Swachhta Efforts The CBIC’s commitment to Swachh Bharat is evident in its broader achievements. Over the last six years, it has successfully undertaken 3,062 Swachhta projects. In FY 2023-24 alone, out of an allocated Rs. 403.9 million, Rs. 367 million were utilised for 197 projects. These included digitisation of records, construction of Divyang-friendly toilets, and the setup of workplace amenities like creches. CBIC has also been actively involved in plantation drives, public art installations, and park renovations. Initiatives like Swachhta Hi Sewa and Swachhta Pakhwada have promoted eco-conscious workshops and the adoption of e-office practices. By focusing on sustainable cleanliness and better infrastructure in rural education, CBIC continues to contribute meaningfully to the Swachh Bharat Mission and the broader vision of a healthier, more inclusive India.