The ‘Jal Swachhata Samiti’ has approved a work plan for the year 2015-16 at a district-level meeting chaired by Collector in-charge Nilesh Kshirsagar.It was decided in the meeting to honour the officers and the residents of villages which are free from open defecation.It was also decided in the meeting to conduct a survey of towns which are free from open toilets by July 20 by the district administration and to reward the towns which follow Open Defecation Free (ODF) rules and regulations at a district-level programme on the Independence Day.
According to officials, 50 towns are ODF so far and the same number of towns are close to attain this status. It was decided in the meeting that the district-level ‘Jal Swachhata Samiti’ should be officially handed over to the Zila Panchayat.For selection of ‘Nav Ratna’, Collector Nilesh Kshirsagar instructed chief executive officers (CEOs) of all Janpads to ensure implementation of the cleanliness drive as per the instructions of the administration with public partnerships.The CEOs were asked to submit proposals for appointment of nodal officers in the proposed 180 open defecation free towns.
He also instructed to utilize the amount disbursed earlier for construction of toilets through any government agency. The district administration has ensured participation of industrial houses in the effective management of cleanliness programme.Arrangements would be made to pay honorarium to motivators of the cleanliness drive as a token of recognition. The collector instructed the CEOs of Janpads to conduct a meeting of people who are trained for ODF for review of the progress in the work.