The ‘National Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Awareness Week’ will be observed in Chhattisgarh from March 16 this year.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand assigned responsibilities to different departments for the Awareness Week in a meeting held at the Mantralaya here on Thursday.
Chairing the meeting, Dhand directed the officers to hold meetings at district level with Head of all departments and prepare action plan for the Awareness Week.
He said that it should be ensured that all the government offices are cleaned regularly during the Awareness Week.
Additional Chief Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department MK Raut has issued circulars to the Collectors and CEOs of Zila Panchayats with point wise directions for the Awareness Week.
According to officials in the circular it has been asked to ensure participation of school children, Mitanins, Anganwadi workers, local teachers, doctors, panchayat representatives and patwaris besides village level employees of all departments, NCC cadets, scouts and guides and social organizations for success of the Awareness Week.
The Awareness Week will be observed in 20000 villages of the State. Prabhat Pheri, programmes by artists groups etc will be organized in each Gram Sabha. The villagers will be encouraged for construction of toilets by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.
The school education and tribal welfare departments have been assigned responsibility for organizing cleanliness rallies and cleanliness pledge in all schools and ashrams. The departments have been directed to ensure proper drinking water in schools, clean toilets, to organise cleanliness awareness contests for children, hygienic atmosphere in the kitchens for mid-day meal and to encourage students to wash their hands with soap before taking meal in all schools, hostels, and ashrams.
The Health Department has been directed for thorough cleaning of sub health centers, community health centers and district hospitals and their toilets in particular.
The week will start from March 16 and conclude on the occasion of World Water Day on March 22.
For concluding ceremonies at district level, invitation will be given to the Chief Minister, Ministers and Minister In-charge. Similarly for concluding ceremonies at Block and Gram Panchayat, the Janpad Panchayat presidents and sarpanchs would be invited.