NGOs to monitor, sustain TSC development work

SKDRDP, Jana Shikshana Trust are nodal agencies

Taking note of this, the Zilla Panchayat has taken steps to sustain the works undertaken during the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) by appointing NGOs as nodal agencies to each of the five taluks, with an aim to monitor hygiene and create awareness.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Total Sanitation Campaign District Unit has appointed Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) as the nodal agency for Mangalore, Puttur, Belthangady and Sullia taluks while Janashikshana Trust is the nodal agency to Bantwal taluk.

These agencies are responsible to impart awareness through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programmes and monitor hygiene in the villages.

The Zilla Panchayat has allotted Rs 5,500 to each of 1,074 wards in the district to conduct the IEC programmes. Mangalore taluk will receive Rs 17.71 lakhs, Bantwal will receive Rs 14.79 lakhs, Puttur has been allotted Rs 9.57 lakhs, Belthangady will receive Rs 10.61 lakhs and Sullia will receive Rs 6.38 lakhs. With this 203 GPs will receive a total of Rs 59.07 lakhs for this programme. The fund which is 80 per cent funded by the Central and 20 per cent funded by the State government will be released to the villages within a week’s time.

The programme symbolically kicked off on November 19, on the occasion of ‘World Toilet Day’. The IEC programmes have to be completed in each ward by January end.

“Having an official outlook towards the campaign will leave it partial. NGO’s are being involved to have a creative outlook and comprehensive success,” said DK Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayprakash to Deccan Herald.

Many do not know how to bifurcate waste in the villages. The scientific management of waste shall depend on the quality of awareness.

Emphasis will be given on each house having a toilet and sufficient water supply, he said and added that after conducting IEC programmes the NGO and the Gram Panchayat has to jointly submit a report to the ZP.

“We are training the trainers who will impart awareness in the villages at present. We are planning to organise Jathas, home visits, invite resource persons and organise competitions. Each village will be studied and local panchayat body will be involved. The programmes will emphasise on areas the village need to concentrate the most,” said SKDRDP HRD Director Manorama Bhat.

“We have called a meeting of all panchayat heads on November 24 to discuss over the programmes. Emphasis will be given on toilet usage and waste disposal,” said Janashikshana Trust Co Director Krishna Moolya.