SHILLONG, SEPT 9: Of the six crore toilets that had been constructed, a survey indicated that 1.30 crore toilets are non-functional and therefore union minister of rural development Chaudhary Birendra Singh felt emphasis must be made to ‘change the mindset’ through partnership to make the country open-defecation-free by 2019.
“Out of the 6 crore toilets constructed, a survey conducted had indicated that a total of 1.30 crore are non-functional and have become defunct,” Singh told newsmen at the sideline of a national consultation on ‘sanitation partnership’ held on Wednesday in Shillong.
Singh, who is also in-charge of Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water & Sanitation said, “But to make these toilets functional, change in the mindset is important as we want this to be a continuous process. We will come out with declaration for people to know on the new ways to overcome this.”
Stating that ministry have uploaded over 5 dozens new technologies for solid and liquid waste management, he said, “We have left it to the states to decide which technologies are good and applicable in their areas,” adding “The centre is providing projects ranging from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 20 lakh depending on the size of a village for installing such solid-liquid waste management plants.”
Informing that over 80 lakh sanitary toilets have been constructed during the current year, Singh said, “We have also decided to have a conclave of corporate people to be partners in the efforts of the government to construct these toilets.”
While the Swachh Bharat Mission aims to make the country free from open defecation by October 2019, Singh said, “But compared to other states, we will be able to achieve the target in all the north east states in the next two years.”
Stating that funding is different, he said, “We are now giving Rs 9000 for construction of toilets in plain areas while for the north east region it is Rs 10,800.”
Earlier while addressing the inaugural function of the consultation meeting, Singh said, “Partnerships are the hallmark of this government. My ministry is committed to forge partnership and nurture them so that together we can make our nation free from the embarrassing practice of open defecation.”
Outlining the intent to adopt a collaborative implementation design, he said, “We have devolved central responsibility of sanitation promotion, upgradation and management to Gram Panchayats. We have created scope for civil society organizations to support Panchayats in undertaking awareness creation and behaviour change activities.”
Singh informed that the ministry had also encouraged small entrepreneurs to collaborate and support Gram Panchayats in strengthening the supply chain adding it has also successfully involved para government functionaries, school teachers, anganwadi workers, ASHAs to promote sustainable sanitation in rural areas.
Singh informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi desires to make sanitation a people’s movement and the government is committed to partner with institutions that are closer to people and can trigger people to change their behavior.- By Our Reporter
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