In the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Chhattisgarh has won the second place in declaring ODF (open defecation free) villages.

The second phase was conducted across India between August 8 and 15 and 62 villages were declared ODF plus, a press release said.

Under the ‘maximum villages ODF plus declaration’ category, Chhattisgarh was at the second place across India, the press release said.

The Union Jal Shakti Ministry, on the occasion of Swachh Bharat Divas scheduled on the 151st anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, will  confer the prize to the state.

Chhattisgarh Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister T.S. Singh Deo said: "This year Chhattisgarh has performed well in ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and in      coming days this campaign will continue.

“As per the parameters set by Government of India, 62 villages were declared ODF plus. Chhattisgarh was among leading states in the implementation of Swachh Bharat Phase-I. For outstanding performance in the cleanliness sector, the World Bank had provided Rs 174 crore to Chhattisgarh as performance grant. This year too the state has received a performance grant of Rs 68 crore,” he said.

The parameters under which these villages were judged in Phase II include availability of public toilets to stop open defecation; toilet availability in 80 percent houses and schools; liquid and solid garbage disposal system at Anganwadi and Panchayat buildings; no water logging in public space and wide publicity of cleanliness.