Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq today asserted that priority of the government is to make Jammu and Kashmir state free from open defecation by 2019.The Minster said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of two-day state level workshop on sanitation being organized by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in collaboration with Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India.Elaborating on the significance of hygienic and clean environment for leading a healthy life, the Minister stressed on the need of an attitudinal change among the people who are the major stakeholders in this noble task. He said that the coordinated efforts on the part of government agencies, non governmental organisations and government are key to achieve this mission of a clean India envisioned by the Prime Minister.
The Minister said that persistent information, education and communication activities are needed to be put in to spread awareness and health education among all stakeholders towards the personal hygiene besides cleanliness in surroundings. “The objective of Swachh Bharat Mission is to improve quality of life by promoting hygiene and eliminating open defecation”, he added. The construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs), Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs), Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) System besides other sanitation initiatives on accelerated basis are key features of the mission, he added.The Minister said that the goal of Swachh Bharat is to achieve Clean India by 2019 and it is imperative that district administration, concerned departments, PRIs, NGOs and Rural Development Department put co-ordinated efforts for motivating and involving the general masses more vigorously so that the mission could be realized in stipulated time frame.
The Minister appreciated the organisors for holding this informative workshop saying that it would encourage the government functionaries, academicians, developmental professionals and NGOs to work collectively by cross learning, case studies and replicating best practices and innovative methods in sanitation.The Minister said that the department had launched a state-wide mission ‘Gaon Jahaan Hamara’ to supplement the efforts regarding sanitation and planned development of the villages.Haq said that main objective of this mission is to prevent haphazard construction in low lying and landslide prone areas. Further, no construction would be allowed on banks of water bodies, flood channels and near the roads, he added. He also emphasized the need of conservation of water bodies by taking up their desilting and dredging works to allow smooth passage of water.
Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Nupun Vinayak, Director Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) GoI, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Director Rural Sanitation, M.L Raina, Director RDD Jammu, Tasaduq Jeelani Director RDD Kashmir, J.P. Shukla, Consultant Knowledge Link also spoke on the occasion.Among others DDCs from Jammu division, representatives from University of Jammu, IMPARD,DPOs, BDOs, NGOs and officers of the secretariat also present on the occasion.