In a major achievement to the State, 29 villages from three panchayats of Harila, Chapuwadih and Chotki Kharagdiha in Bengabad block were declared open defecation free (ODF) on Wednesday. PRI members, Jal Sahiya and other sanitation workers were felicitated for their exemplary contribution in making their panchayats free of open defecation .
The district administration in Giridih has taken up the challenge and has been leading from the front to create open defection free communities with UNICEF technical support. In 2015-16, Giridih stood second in the construction of household toilets in the State. Till date, 140 villages in the district have been declared open defecation free. These toilets have been built using SBM funds as well as MGNREGA and 14th Finance Commission resources available with panchayats.
The district administration has also focused on promotion of sanitation and hygiene in schools. Fourteen hand washing models were constructed in schools with the 14th Finance Commission funds. Dr Madhulika Jonathan, UNICEF chief of field office Jharkhand said, “The role of the entire community, especially the PRI members in making Swachh Jharkhand is commendable. Promoting hand washing among children will not only lead to a behavioural change but also reduce incidents of diarrhoea in the coming days.”
Uma Shankar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Giridih said, “This year too Giridih has come second in the State with the construction of over 42,000 household toilets till date.We will be able to achieve the 60,000 benchmark by the end of March 2017. It is a matter of pride that two blocks of Gawan and Bengabad are likely to be declared ODF by March &May 2017 respectively.”