The State government will declare the coastal district of Udupi "open defecation

The State government will declare the coastal district of Udupi “open defecation-free” on January 26 next year, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a workshop for legislators here, Patil said the government proposed to bring 10,000 villages under the list by August 15 next year and declare the entire State “open defecation-free” by 2018.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched booklets on the progress of various schemes of the RDPR department in different Assembly constituencies. These constituency-specific booklets would serve as a ready-reckoner for legislators, Patil said.

Siddaramaiah said the government proposed to usher in reforms in the panchayat raj system in the days to come.

A report submitted by former Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, suggesting various reforms, was under active consideration of the government, he said.