With a view to boost sanitation infrastructure in villages, Anuppur administration has taken a unique initiative to organize a competition of constructing toilets in gram panchayat Tasla in Jatahari Block of the district.
The toilet-making competition started on April 4 and will continue till April 9. Hundred teams comprising of masons, swachhata doot (sanitation agent) and two labourers each are participating in the competition.
Anuppur District Coordinator for Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan Ram Naresh Verma informed on Sunday that the teams have been given the target of constructing 300 toilets in the one week period. The team which constructs the highest number of toilets would be awarded with a trophy.
“Besides, the winning masons would also be taken for field trips to other States to see and learn the best practices and techniques used in construction of toilets. This has boosted the confidence of the participants,” Ram Naresh informed.
He also said that till Sunday, 125 toilets have been completed and it is possible that the target of 300 would be achieved much earlier than the targeted date.
“It is really surprising that the masons are constructing at a very fast pace. The work which was usually completed in five days is done in one and half day here. Even the quality of work is much better than usual,” he said, adding that public representatives and officials are regularly visiting the place to have a look at the competition.
He said that the idea to hold the toilet making competition originated earlier during a meeting with the Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ram Naresh Verma.
“During the meeting it was felt that the training workshops that are conducted for the masons and sanitation agents are not very successful due to indifferent attitude of the participants. So, it was decided to change the format of training workshop and give it shape of a competition,” he said.
He also informed that the administration would conduct such competitions at regular intervals.
Appreciating the efforts by Anuppur admin, Gregor von Medeazaa Wash Specialist with UNICEF office for MP said, “This is an interesting development. Events like these can help in creating positive environment on sanitation, which is needed in the State which has low sanitation coverage. At the same time, it is also important to go beyond toilet construction and focus on toilet use.”