District Development Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Kumar today convened a meeting to review the progress under centrally sponsored Scheme Swach Bharat Mission (SBM) in the district.The meeting discussed activities, programmes and IEC campaigns initiated by the Rural Development Department in collaboration with other departments under Swachh Bharat Mission.The DC called for persistent information, education and communication activities to spread awareness among all stakeholders about the personal hygiene and cleanliness in surroundings."The objective of Swachh Bharat Mission is to improve quality of life by promoting hygiene and eliminating open defecation," he added. He said government has set 2019 deadline to make the state free from open defecation. He stressed on the need for an attitudinal change among the people who are the major stakeholders in this noble task.The District Panchayat Officer informed that Mandli is all set to become first Open Defecation Free (ODF) block of the District Kathua and so far 13 villages have been declared open defecation free. The DC fixed the target of achieving ODF status at two panchayats in each block by the end of current financial year. He also stressed for regular updation of MIS data on SBM portal.The DC while reviewing programmes and activities taken up under SBM, directed all BDOs to organize awareness drives and campaigns involving all stakeholders to create awareness about ill effects of open defecation.The meeting was attended by ACD Kathua, DPO, DSWO, BDOs and EO Municipality of all the blocks.