Himachal Pradesh was on Friday declared as the first Open Defecation-Free (ODF) State amongst the Big States Category giving a boost to the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’.
A proud Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh declared the hill State as the first Big State to become completely ODF in a function organized at Hotel Peterhoff, here.
Union Rural Development Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Health Minister, JP Nadda and Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Parmeshvaran Iyer were present on the occasion. The function was organised by department of Rural Development.
The Chief Minister congratulated the people of the State who supplemented the cause of the Government in its mission for achieving the feat. “It was not possible without the support of the people of the State”, said Virbhadra Singh.
Addressing the gathering, he said that though Sikkim was the first State to achieve the distinction of becoming ODF, but it was in the small states category.
“We are lucky enough to become second State leaving Kerala behind which was also in the race and I suppose would be declared ODF after four days on 1st November while celebrating ‘Kerala Day”, said the Chief Minister.
“I insisted the Union Rural Development Minister to be with us despite his busy schedule, as I always wanted that our State should be the first amongst the Big States to be ODF”, said the Chief Minister. It was also a matter of pride that we accomplished the feat six months before the targeted date of March 2017 and we are committed to maintain the status in times to come,” he said. It is more important now to keep the momentum going, he stressed.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal was and would fully co-operate with the Central Government in implementing the centrally aided development programmes and policies.
Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also lauded the efforts of the State Government specially referring to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s initiative and thought to make Himachal ODF. “I hope that Himachal will take lead in disposal of Solid and liquid waste management soon”, he said.
Union Health Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda congratulated the State for achieving the feat six months before the stipulated target. He said that the Central Government would be sharing the experiences of the Himachal Government and the sustainable mechanism adopted by them. He also wished to launch a joint programme with the State Government to mitigate water borne diseases in near
future.
Secretary, Rural Development, Himachal Pradesh Onkar Sharma said all 12 districts, 78 development blocks, 3226 Panchayats and 18465 villages have been declared ODF.
Divisional Commissioners, all the deputy Commissioner and Block Development Officers, field revenue officers and officials were honoured with a citation and a memento for their intensive initiatives for undertaking sanitation drives in their work areas.