Jamshedpur, Dec. 10: Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Saturday expressed confidence that all
gram panchayats and blocks in the state will become ‘Open Defecation Free’ (ODF) by 2018. He was addressing the State Sanitation Conference held at Archery Ground of JRD Tata Sports Complex.
Addressing a gathering of about 4500 representatives from the field of sanitation across the state, Das said that 15 lakh toilets are being constructed in the current financial year and as many toilets will be built in the next financial year. He said that in the next five years the government is working towards making the state achieve good results in education, roads, drinking water and other basic infrastructure.
Praising panchayats, which recently got ODF (open defecation free) status as a part of the Centre�s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Das said that they have set a target of providing drinking water to each household in all the districts of the state.
�We have set a target of providing piped water supply to all the state populace by 2022. In addition to providing quality water to each household we also plan to achieve cent per cent panchayat ODF,� said the CM.
Das said that in the next budget, the state government will focus on �Garibi Hatao�. Under the new budget emphasis would be laid on providing job to at least one member of each BPL family, he said.
At the function, the CM inaugurated 218 development and welfare schemes online. He further added that the government would work efficiently in bringing speedy development, providing basic amenities and improving policing. He also said that ensuring corruption free governance will be his foremost priority.
He also emphasized that his government would be accountable and would ensure rapid development by utilizing the abundance of natural resources.
The CM also said that the government is working on the project to promote cashless economy.
State water resource and drinking water and sanitation minister, Chandra Prakash Choudhary said that their department has set a target of providing drinking water to each household in all the districts of the state.
He also noted that the state government is working to raise awareness and educating the masses about the need for cleanliness, and importance of using toilets.
Parameshwaran Iyer, Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department of Central government, appreciated efforts being made by the state government.
He said that situation has improved a lot in the State. Sanitation cover, which was 30 per cent, has increased to 45 per cent in last two years, he said.
At the conference, 12 persons working in the area of sanitation were felicitated.