Five districts, 50 blocks and 1000 panchayats of Jharkhand attained the respected open defecation free (ODF) tag. The Government data released suggests that under the Swacchh Bharat Mission 32.70 lakh toilets have been constructed in different parts of the State with handful contribution coming from Sakhi Mandals, Rani Masson and Jal Sahiyas.
The proud declaration came on Thursday in the presence of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who was in Ranchi to participate in a ‘Swacchata Hi Seva’ campaign where he also online inaugurated water supply scheme for Chand village of Namkum. He also physically contributed by digging a pit for toilet construction and planted sapling.
Hailing the achievement of the State Government Naidu said the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi can only be realised with contribution coming from every quarter. “It is very pleasing to know that the State which had just 16 per cent ODF has taken a quantum jump and achieved 96 per cent in these four years. This is a sign of the commitment shown by the people and the Government. I am confident that this would bring good results in future,” said the Vice President.
He also dragged attention towards newly launched Ayushman Bharat scheme and said that sanitation was a prerequisite for a healthy society. “Only government cannot make the effort a success but everyone should contribute and pledge. Sanitation is a must to make the country Ayushman in real sense. Every year more than one lakh children fell ill due to unhygienic conditions,” said Naidu.
He, on the occasion, also praised the role played by women SHGs, Jal Sahiyas, lady Mukhias and other common women in making sanitation drive a movement. The VP added that the drive in a larger sense had helped in empowering women. Some of them were also felicitated by the Vice President for their contributions.
In his address Chief Minister Raghubar Das thanked all for their contributions. “Entire country is watching how Jharkhand attained 96 per cent ODF.
The CM also promised that the ODF villages would be supplied with piped drinking water as the Government was spending Rs 5000 crore of the Mineral Development Fund on this. “The Government has set a goal to provide piped drinking water to every household by 2022. Speedy work is going on. We are also providing water under Swajaldhara scheme through deep borewell and solar driven pumps,” said he.
The CM announced that awareness drive all over the State would start on October 2 in order to provide further impetus to the sanitation programme which would continue till January 30 with the contribution of Sahiyas and others and added that it would a real tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Also present on the occasion was Governor Droupadi Murmu who underlined rich cultural heritage of the contrary in terms of sanitation. “Our culture from beginning itself has been connected with sanitation. We should also keep public places clean like our homes,” she said lauding the achievement of the State.
Ranchi MP Ramtahal Chaudhary, MLAs Ramkumar Pahan, Gangotri Kujur, Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the CM Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Secretary of Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Aradhana Patnaik and other officials were present on the occasion.