To fulfil the dream of making Punjab first ‘open defection-free State’ of the country by October 2016, Punjab Government has worked out a novel scheme under which foot soldiers of the State and the NGOs would take the message of Swachchh Bharat to over 13,057 villages of the State.
State Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra on Monday unveiled the novel plan in which NGOs and State Government would work hand-in-hand for next two years to bring a attitudinal change in the minds of public regarding sanitation and to motivate people for usage of toilets.
A motivational programme would be launched throughout the State to motivate people to become part of this State level movement to have toilets every household of the State, he said.
A meeting between District Water Supply and Sanitation officers and World Bank Mission members was held with the NGOs and other social organisations to discuss water supply and sanitation programmes being taken up in Punjab, to seek their association in the implementation of World Bank funded `2,200 crore project.
The project is aiming to achieve household toilets and water connections for all households in rural areas of Punjab. Under this project, household toilets will be provided to 6.25 lakh houses whereas 6.50 lakh households will be provided independent water connections.
Rakhra, addressing the workshop, informed the delegates about the resolve of State to provide water supply and sanitation facilities to each household in close partnership between DWSS and NGOs.
Additional Chief Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation, Suresh Kumar also gave a brief about the project components and assured all possible help to NGOs and social organisations for working in partnership with DWSS.
To achieve these objectives, Punjab Government has invited participation of the NGOs and social organisations to ensure people’s participation in the programme and help in improved service delivery of water supply and sanitation facilities created under this project on sustainable basis.
More than 30 NGOs and social organisations participated in the one-day workshop and also gave presentations of their areas of expertise and assured the department of their support.
The workshop was attended by all the Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and District Sanitation Nodal Officers.