Udupi is Open Defecation Free, with a distinction

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Sep 29, 2016: Addressing the gathering after giving away the ’Swachhata Certificate’ on Wednesday, QCI, Quality Council of India  and Swachh Bharat Mission - Open Defecation Free Campaign project manager Abhinav Yadav said that Udupi has a distinction ub that it is the first city with a population between one and five lakh in the state to be declared as open defection-free city.

 He went on to say that the country aims to be open defecation free by 2019. The Swachh Bharat Mission is taken up to ensure that every house in the country has toilets. He urged the public to join hands in the campaign.

He said a team of officials from the QCI had visited the city a few months ago and conducted a survey without informing any official or people’s representatives. "The team made spot visits to the Government School, Nittoor, Vivekananda Government School, Kinnimulki, the slums in Balaram Nagar, Kola, and a colony in Kodankur. The documents were verified, and the verification process will be carried out every six months," he stated.

CMC president Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje said that there are plans to construct community toilets, following the lack of space.

"The CMC has already constructed 56 community toilets with tin-sheet roofing in workers’ colonies. The number of public toilets is increased and Rs 40 lakh is earmarked for the purpose in the next phase. The land is also set aside to construct public toilets. The owners who construct houses to rent out to migratory workers are instructed to provide toilets," she said.

Awareness : She added that an awareness drive on health and sanitation was held. "Slum dwellers and residents of colonies are repeatedly told about the ill-effects of open defecation. The funds earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and differently abled people were used for the construction of toilets. As many as 166 families had built toilets under various schemes," she stated.

CMC Commissioner Manujunathaiah said that action has been taken against 48 owners who are demanding heavy rent from migrant workers residing in their houses without toilet facilities. Notices are served and action will be taken following the approval by the Deputy Commissioner.