Journalism of Courage
With the rural development department calling for an open defecation-free country in ten years,the state still has a long way to go with just 48 per cent people with toilet blocks.
Of the 27,870 gram panchayats in the state,only 13,378 gram panchayats have achieved the Nirmal Gram or open defecation free status,which is still higher than the countrys statistics that falls at a dismal 10 per cent,says rural development department report
The state is slowly inching towards the goal,though it has several hurdles to cross. We have been reaching out to all the gram panchayat in the state to follow the directives,however the progress has been slow, said Zilla Parishad CEO Anil Kawde.
With Nirmal Abhiyan,which mandates toilet blocks as well as overall cleanliness in the village,too being ruled out,the villages are trying to meet all the parameters. Under the Nirmal Abhiyan or complete sanitation programme,we have achieved 34 per cent success. As many as 9,523 gram panchayats have met all the parameters, the official said.
The scheme aims to manage setting up of mandatory toilet blocks,waste disposal,drinking water quality and tap connections. The state is also trying to put up the details of the completed projects online. Better monitoring system,interaction with officials and sending the proposals to the Centre for Nirmal Abhiyan are being worked out in the state. With new parameters in place,checks are being conducted to ensure that the state achieves its target, the officer added.
