Kolkata, Nov 19 (UNI) On the occasion of World Toilet Day, Mission Nirmal Bangla was launched in Bengal on November 19, 2013.
As of May, 2018, 11 districts, 33,261 villages, 2,621 Gram Panchayats and 255 blocks in the State have become ODF.
This scheme has received international acclaim from the UN as well. Nadia was the first district in India to be declared ODF.
All the districts in Bengal will be ODF much ahead of the schedule which is October 2, 2019.
Five districts in Bengal that are yet to be declared ODF are Purulia, Jhargram, North Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Fourteen districts have formally been declared as ODF while in three other districts, work has been completed but the formal declaration has not happened yet.
In the last five years, 58,73,540 household toilets have been constructed. 1,608 community sanitary complexes have been constructed as well.
Scientific solid and liquid waste management has been a focus area during the construction of these toilets.
The fund allocation for this project has seen an increase in the last couple of years. In 2012-13, Rs 254 crore was allocated for this project.
In 2017-18, the amount increased to Rs 2661 crore, despite a reduction in Centre’s share from 75:25 to 60:40.
500 additional community sanitary complexes will be built in rural areas. Solid and liquid waste management programmes will be taken up at additional 500 gram panchayats. Thrust is being given on awareness programmes as well.
UNI SJC RN