The district administration here has decided to completely do away with open defecation. Earlier, the deadline for achieving this was June 30, but now a new deadline has been set which is July 25.
Under the aegis of the Swachh Bharat Abhijaan, Subarnapur Collector Dasarathi Satpathy held a coordination meeting of various departments to direct the officials to complete the task by July 25.The administration decided to extend the deadline as the work on the construction of toilets suffered due to non-cooperation by the officials and beneficiaries.
The district Collector in no uncertain terms said that stern action would be taken against the officials who failed to deliver on the project within the stipulated deadline.
Sources said even today, 13,916 families in the district have no toilets in their homes.
Earlier, the administration had conducted a massive drive to eradicate open defecation. The officials and workers at the grassroots level were sensitised.
The beneficiaries were asked to co-operate to make the mission successful. But at the grassroots level, neither the officials nor the people’s representatives cooperated. As a result, the mission suffered. The beneficiaries also did not show any interest to construct the toilets even after getting the work order, Satpathy added.
The Collector also said even after the setback, the administration was keen to complete the work by the new deadline. Birmaharajpur and Sonepur blocks will be open defecation free by July7.The other four blocks like Binka, Tarbha, Ullunda and Dunguripali will achieve the goal by July 25.
Under the Swachha Bharat Abhijaan, a total of 1,35,781 toilets was to be constructed in the district, out of which 91,706 have been constructed. Each beneficiary is given Rs 12,000 for construction of a toilet.