Udupi to be declared open defecation-free dist on Oct 2

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said Udupi district is one among the seven districts across state that would be declared as open defecation-free on October 2.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the one-day sports fest for people’s representatives of rural and urban local bodies in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, the minister said that Karnataka has taken resolute measures to be declared open defecation-free by October 2018.

“Fifty-five lakh toilets were pending for construction in the past three years. The target was planned accordingly and the annual schedule was put forth. Already, 25 lakh toilets are built, while the target for the current year is another 12 lakh toilets,” said Patil, adding that the review on the progress would be held in December and the target plans would be designed as per requirements.

Bathrooms also
“Besides, the state government prefers bathrooms along with the toilets and has already suggested this at the working sub-groups of chief ministers appointed by the prime minister. The installation of even western type of toilets has been enabled in rural areas for the aged and physically handicap, especially in the North Karnataka region, where fluoride content in water has resulted in bone and joint problems. In addition, mobile and community toilets are under consideration for migrated populace,” said the minister.

He added that nearly 26 taluks and more than 1,000 gram panchayats would be declared open defecation-free, as the social auditing and physical verification has been completed.

Speaking about empowerment of rural local governance, the minister said 5,700 out of 6,000 gram panchayats in the state have already come out with the vision for five years under ‘Namma Grama Namma Yojane’ which is uploaded in ‘Panchatantra’ software. The state government is committed to ensuring clean drinking water to all gram panchayats. Of the 7,102 drinking water plants installed, 6,506 are commissioned. By October 2, 7,000 units will be dedicated to the state. One unit will offer water at least to 2,000 people, the minister listed out.

He said that the Bapuji Seva Kendra, which is offering 100 services, would be strengthened with extra infrastructure. The data entry operators will be recruited by October end. Briefing over the easing the complications in 9 and 11, the minister said that owing to technical difficulties involved in the land transaction process in various parts of state, the solution for 9 and 11 is delayed.

He said that a meeting is convened comprising Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa, to take several decisions to sort out the issue in another couple of months. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the minister said that the Congress government’s most ambitious programme was to empower the lowest tier of the rural governance.

He assured to look into increasing the honorariums to the members. Mahatma Gandhiji’s dream of Gram Swarajya is realised phase by phase. The minister called for a united approach towards the development initiatives. He stressed that politics should not be dragged into the development.