Total Sanitation: Naura declared best panchayat

A government spokesman said the award would be presented to the village chief by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the Independence Day function to be held at Karsog in Mandi district.

He said the awards under Total Sanitation Campaign at division,district and block levels,too,had been announced.

An amount of Rs 1.47 crore will be disbursed as part of cash prize to the respective panchayats.

At the divisional level,Bhari Pharnol panchayat in Hamirpur block under Mandi division,Mindhal panchayat of Pangi block under Kangra division and Himri panchayat of Basantpur block in Shimla division will be conferred an award of Rs 5 lakh each.

The winning gram panchayats at district level are Dulchera in Hampirpur district,Bakora in Bilaspur,Sagnam in Lahaul-Spiti,Vashing in Kullu,Doghi in Una,Pukhri in Chamba,Bhont in Shimla,Baunal Kakog in Sirmour,Namagya of Pooh block in Kinnaur,Panjehra and Sanan in Solan,Barswan and Jai Devi in Mandi,Gabli Dari and Ansoli in Kangra and Samoli and Manubhavia of Shimla district.

The award aims to achieve the goal of safe and hygienic sanitation facilities for all. The spokesperson said the panchayats that had become open-defecation free,with provisions of solid waste disposal,waste water disposal,water harvesting projects,plantation and school sanitation were eligible for the award.