If things work out rightly Khirsu block would win the distinction of being the first fully hygienic block in Pauri district.
Under the Clean India Mission, a workshop to help Khirsu block conform to the norms of hygiene was held at the Khirsu Block development office where the participants dwelt at length on the mission they have taken up. Khirsu Block Pramukh Sushma Negi inaugurated it by lighting the inaugural lamp.
Among those who attended the workshop were the director, Payjal and Swatchta Sangathan Mohd Vasim khan and district swajal officer Rameshwar Chuhan (Pauri). This aside, the BDO, the gram pradhan, Chetra Panchayat members, Aaganwari members, gram panchayat officer, gram development officer and block education officer attended.
District swajal officer Chauhan elaborated on the aim of the workshop and appealed to all to help Khirsu block become a fully hygienic block. If it happens it would be the first block free from the menace of defecation in the open and the like in the Pauri district, he said. The panchayat representatives responded to the appeal and assured that full cooperation would be extended to achieve the target.
Director Payjal and cleanliness organisation, Mohd Vasim stressed the point that the funds from the Centre would be released under the Centrally aided programmes only after the gram panchayats are free from the menace of defecation in the open.
Seminars are being organised across Uttarakhand in bid to end the long-continued menace, he said, adding that the State Government should set 2018 as the deadline to accomplish the task of making the State fully hygienic. He expressed the hope that Khirsu block will achieve the target to win the pride of being the first fully hygienic block in Pauri district under SBM.
The panchayat representatives assured the officials that if they were entrusted with the responsibility of achieving the goal, they would leave no stone unturned to rise to the challenge. However, they added that the authorities must provide them with the requisite funds to reach the goal.