JOIN USNirmal Bharath Abhiyan progressing at snail's pace
As the district has failed miserably in implementing Nirmala Bharath Abhiyan, Rs 8 crore funds sanctioned by the government for Mandya has been diverted to Davangere and Dakshina Kannada districts.
Goals were set and plans were chalked out to construct toilets under the scheme, but the works progressed at a snail’s pace, resulting in diversion of funds.
The district had an opening balance of Rs 4.13 crore Central funds and Rs 46.32 crore State funds for the year 2012.
The Centre had released Rs 9.48 crore and the State Rs 1.02 crore for the year 2012-13. As the Mandya Zilla Panchayat had spent only Rs 2.05 crore out of it, Rs 13.05 crore was remaining.
The Centre and State governments, which noticed non-utilisation of the funds, slashed the allotment and sanctioned only Rs 5.24 crore and Rs 51 lakh respectively for the year 2013-14.
The total funds accumulated now was Rs 18.80 crore and the State government, which realised that it will not be possible for the district to utilise the total funds, directed diversion of Rs 7 crore to Davangere Zilla Panchayat and Rs 1 crore to Dakshina Kannada ZP.
Lack of toilets
As per the 2012 survey, there were 3,74,445 families without toilets in rural areas of the district. About 1.23 lakh toilets have been constructed from 2005 till date. Still 2,51,445 families do not have toilets.
All the 1,631 schools in the district have toilets. While 914 anganwadis have toilets, works are under progress in 204 anganwadis, say officials.
Funds to the tune of Rs 2 lakh is being provided for construction of community toilets. The public have to bear only 10 per cent of the cost, but only 25 such toilet complexes have been constructed so far.
A beneficiary gets Rs 4,700 under Nirmala Bharath Abhiyan, Rs 4,500 under Nrega Act and the beneficiary has to spend Rs 800 for construction of a toilet.