India to be open-defecation free in 2 years : Union Minister Ramesh Jigajinagi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 03, 2017:  A total of 5.21 crore  toilets have been constructed for  households  across the state  ever since the Swachha Bharath Scheme was launched. India would be declared  open defecation free in 2019, said Union Minister for Sanitation and Drinking Water Ramesh Jigajinagi.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 4th phase of the Swachhata Abhiyan of Ramakrishna Mission as well as 1000 Shramadan programmes in 100 villages of the district, on November 3, Friday.

In India, a total of 2.67 lakh villages, 1.17 lakh gram panchayats, 225 districts and 2,048 taluks have been declared open-defection free. In Karnataka  70.62 per cent people have toilets at their homes, the minister said.

Ramakrishna Mission Secretary Swami Jithakamanandaji presided over the function. Nitte University Chancellor N Vinay Hegde, MRPL Managing Director H Kumar,  MP Nalin Kumar Kateel,  ZP Chief Meenakshi Shantigodu, Z P CEO M R Ravi and others were present.