Hassan dist short of 100% to get open defecation-free tag

Officials told to buld the toilets by October 2, for 29,118 families

The zilla panchayat, which has resolved to make the district open defecation-free by October 2, has directed the officials concerned to expedite the works in this connection.

Out of 3,60,414 families in the district, 3,31,326 families have toilets and the district has achieved 92% target. If the remaining 29,118 families build toilets, the district can be declared 100% open-defecation free. This has been a problem for the officials as just a month is left to achieve the target.

Sakleshpur, Alur, Hassan and Belur have already been declared as open-defecation free taluks. Around 8% of the works are pending in the remaining four taluks.

According to available statistics, the number of toilets yet to be constructed in Arkalgud taluk is 2,540; Arsikere -16,200; Channarayapatna - 6,218 and Holenarasipur- 4,250. Out of this, 19,000 beneficiaries have received work orders from their gram panchayats. The works are progressing at a snail’s pace in Arsikere and Channarayapatna taluks.

The beneficiaries who are yet to construct toilets have been told to get the work orders from their respective gram panchayats by submitting the photocopies of bank account passbooks and Aadhaar card. The government provides a grant of Rs 15,000 for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families and Rs 12,000 for Other Backward Class communities to construct the toilets.

The zilla panchayat has made it mandatory for gram, taluk and ZP members to have a toilet in their house. The membership of those who fail to abide by the norms will be cancelled.

ZP CEO K M Janaki said, in all, 29,118 toilets have to be constructed in the district and awareness programmes have been taken up at the gram panchayat levels. If the toilets are not constructed within the stipulated time, government benefits would be stopped to such families.

A team, comprising public and community based organisations and staffers will take up awareness programmes from 5.30 am to 9 pm in this regard in villages, Janaki said.

ZP Planning Officer Siddaraju said, officials belonging to the Swachch Bharat Mission will visit Shravanabelagola in Channarayapatna taluk, on August 29 and review the progress.

The team would also provide necessary advise to expedite the works in achieving the target. A workshop will be onducted for Panchayat Development Officers and Executive Officers in this regard, he said.