Himachal Pradesh is declared as the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) State amongst the Big States Category to realize the motive of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. It was Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh who seemed to be proud enough of declaring the hill state as the first Big State to become completely ODF in a function organized at Hotel Peterhoff, here today.He was joined by Union Rural Development Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Health Minister, Shri J.P. Nadda and Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation GoI, Shri Parmeshvaran Iyer on the occasion. The function was organized by department of Rural Development.The Chief Minister congratulated the people of the State who supplemented the cause of the Government in its mission for achieving the feat. “It was not possible without the support of the people of the State”, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.Addressing the august gathering, he said that though Sikkim was the first State to achieve the distinction of becoming ODF, but it was in the small states category. “We are lucky enough to become second State leaving Kerela behind which was also in the race and I suppose would be declared ODF after four days on 1st November while celebrating ‘Kerela Day”, said Shri Virbhadra Singh.
“I insisted the Union Rural Development Minister to be with us despite his busy schedule, as I always wanted that our State should be the first amongst the Big States to be ODF”, said the Chief Minister. It was also a matter of pride that we accomplished the feat six months before the targeted date of March 2017 and we are committed to maintain the status in times to come, he said. It is more important now to keep the momentum going, he stressed. Shri Virbhadra Singh said that it was Mahatma Gandhi who strongly emphasized observing cleanliness always and said that ‘Cleanliness was next to Godliness and Independence’ and that was always a source of motivation for us. To Gandhi Ji, the test of a people's standard of cleanliness was the condition of their toilets, he added.The Chief Minister also said that the State was and would fully co-operate with the Central Government in implementing the centrally aided development programmes and policies. He said that Country was one and for taking it ahead on path of development, my government was committed to implement the centrally aided project for the well being of the people of the State.Union Rural Development Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar also lauded the efforts of the State Government specially referring to Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh’s initiative and thought to make Himachal ODF. “I hope that Himachal will take lead in disposal of Solid and Liquid waste management soon”, he said. He congratulated the Chief Minister for making Himachal the most progressive State and for community led total sanitation drive adopting bio-digester techniques.Union Health Minister, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda congratulated the State for achieving the rare feat six months before the stipulated target.
Appreciating the massive drive and campaign launched by the State Government under the guidance of Chief Minister, Shri Nadda said that it was a matter of great pride that the State became the first State in big states category to become ODF, adding that the last mile to cover seems to be most difficult task and lauded the campaign mode of the State Government. He said that the Central Government would be sharing the experiences of the Himachal Government and the sustainable mechanism adopted by them. He also wished to launch a joint programme with the State Government to mitigate water borne diseases in near future.Secretary, Rural Development, Himachal Pradesh Shri Onkar Sharma in his address revealed that all 12 districts, 78 development blocks, 3226 Panchayats and 18465 villages have been declared ODF.He said that the Information, Education and Communication programmes by the department were given the much needed force from 28th September to 20th October, 2016 to achieve the target of total sanitation and astonishing results were witnessed in the direction of making State ODF.Divisional Commissioners, all the deputy Commissioner and Block Development Officers, field revenue officers and officials were honoured with a citation and a memento for their intensive initiatives for undertaking sanitation drives in their work areas. The Union Rural Development Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar along with Chief Minster and Union Health Minister, Shri J.P. Nadda also inaugurated the Panchayati Raj Training Institute, Thunag in Seraj assembly constituency through online.Chief Secretary Shri V.C. Pharka, Director Rural Development, Shri R. Selvam, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Panchayat representatives, Block development officers were also present on the occasion amongst others.