Dharwad to be open-defecation free by Oct 2: ZP CEO

Nodal officials to camp in rural areas, educate people

Continuing the drive in rural areas to educate people on constructing toilet in their houses, Dharwad ZP Chief Executive Officer Snehal Rayamane along with officials, visited several villages in the taluk and created awareness among them.

The officials visited Nigadi, Halligeri and Dhuparthivad in Dharwad taluk and interacted with the villagers appealing them to make use of government programmes in constructing toilets and keeping their villages clean.

A total of 130 houses each in all the three villages were enlisted which do not have toilet facility and their address proof and bank accounts were collected to sanction funds for toilet construction.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Snehal stated that the government has been promoting sanitation programme, particularly in rural areas to ensure cleanliness and develop good habits among the people. For the success of this programme, a co-ordinated effort by the officials and the people is needed.

She said, to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti which is held on October 2 in a more meaningful manner, the government has decided to declare villages as open-defecation free. This programme should evoke the total response from the implementing officials. They should leave no stone unturned to erase the myths in the minds of the rural people and educate them to construct toilets in their houses.

To lead a healthy and dignified life, every villager should extend his co-operation to the government for construction of toilets in their houses.

To help the rural people and the poor construct toilets in their houses, the government has been giving financial aid. But, due to various myths and misbeliefs, many people are distancing themselves from making use of this scheme. This would realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi who advocated for a Clean India, she said.

Open defecation is still in practice in several villages and this is a matter of concern. To motivate the people to construct toilets in their house, the government is giving Rs 150 motivation amount to the people.

Clean India can be a healthy India and hence, more focus should be given on improving the health standards, she noted.

The government is giving a financial aid of Rs 15,000 to dalit families and Rs 12,000 to APL card holders.

She also directed the nodal officials to camp in villages wherein this programmes has received a lukewarm response and educate the people on the need to construct toilets.

ZP Projet Director N M Bheemappa, TP Executive Officer S M Rudraswamy, district coordinating officer Padmavati and others were present.