Chief Secretary, B B Vyas Thursday chaired a video conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of five districts viz Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Anantnag to further build upon the directions of the Prime Minister given during his review of the flagship Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Gramin (G) programme in the four states including J&K, UP, Odisha and Bihar on March 13th, 2018.Director General (Special Project), Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India,Akshay Kumar Rout, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and other officers participated in the meeting via video conferencing.In order to make the districts en-route of Shri Amarnathji Yatra Open Defecation Free (ODF), Chief Secretary asked DCs of Ganderbal, Srinagar and Anantnag to immediately start working on a specific plan of action to complete the task by 1st week of June, 2018.Chief Secretary observed that while Srinagar is already ODF, Ganderbal and Anantnag districts need to make a determined push to attain ODF status by 1st week of June, particularly covering each block en-route the yatra.
He urged DCs to start the process of identification of land to build at least 10 community toilets in each district at different places along the yatra route, utilizing funds available under SBM (G), SBM (Urban) and from Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB).Chief Secretary called upon DCs and Mission Director SBM to ensure timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) against the work done, under the programme, for early release of funds from the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.Chief Secretary asked all to work in a mission mode with directions to DCs to review the progress each Friday, while Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir was directed to review the progress of programme on weekly basis preferably on Tuesday’s.Director General (Special Project), Shri Akshay Kumar Rout appreciated the renewed push being given by the state government towards achieving 100% sanitation coverage under the flagship programme. He said sanitation coverage across the state has reached 55% and is expected to touch 60% by 10th April, 2018. He said Union Ministry is committed to extend fullest support to the state government including release of timely funds for achieving 100% sanitation coverage by December 2018.Mr Rout informed that best performing districts will receive an award from the Prime Minister during the event scheduled for next month to commemorate 100 years of the Champaran Satyagraha.