Dhar development block likely to miss open defecation-free deadline
The district administration’s resolve to make Dhar development block open defecation free by November 15 appears to be an uphill task.
The district administration’s resolve to make Dhar development block open defecation free by November 15 appears to be an uphill task.
District collector Shriman Shukla was in for a shock on Wednesday when some people at Baykheda and Khamla villages told him that they would construct toilets in their houses as and when they get time.
The collector gave an ultimatum to panchayat at both the villages that they would be deprived of all welfare schemes if they fail to ensure that every house under their jurisdiction has toilet.
At the same time, he appealed to villagers to contribute towards the ‘Clean India Mission’. Both villages have 41 families whose houses don’t have toilets.
Collector Shukla visited the villages at 5 am on Wednesday to have first hand information about follow-up of open defecation-free programme. He visited spots villagers use for defecation and talked to them. During the visit, Shukla directed village guards and anganwadi workers to construct toilets at their house. He asked all government employees to follow suit.
Besides, the collector directed agriculture department officials to promote vermin compost and bio-gas use in the two villages as most villagers are cattle rearers.
The district administration plans to hold ‘Gaurav yatra’ in Baykheda panchayat on November 15 to ask villagers to build toilets in their house.