'Udupi to be free from open defecation by January 26'

Zilla Panchayat CEO M Kanagavalli has said that the district administration is planning to announce Udupi disrict as free from open defecation, on January 26. The district has achieved 97 per cent of the target.

Speaking at a review meeting, she directed the panchayat nodal officers to ensure that all households have toilet facilities in the district. On the poor progress, she said that the target should be reached within time frame. The target was to construct 7,231 individual toilets under Nirmal Bharath Abhiyan. However, construction of 2,351 toilets have been taken up so far.  The Nodal officers should visit the spot and convince the families to construct toilets. “I had personally visited Keradi and Amasebailu region in the district and convinced the families. The same should be followed by district level officials,” she said.

The CEO said that financial assistance of Rs 15,000 will be given for SC/ST beneficiaries and Rs 12,000 for others to construct toilets.

ZP President Savitha Shivanand Kotian the issue of RTC for government buildings should be furnished in the compliance report. Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Vaccination for stray dogs will be implemented from Kundapur taluk.

The ZP CEO said that the department of animal husbandry and taluk panchayat EOs should chalk out a plan to check stray dog menace. The report on the progress made in Kundapur taluk should be submitted by December end.

Project Director Vijay Kumar Shetty said that if the Taluk panchayat EOs fail to reach the target under Indira Awaz scheme by December end, then funds will lapse.
ZP Vice President Prakash T Mendon and others were present.