ITANAGAR, Apr 24: Arunachal has successfully achieved 87.12% sanitation coverage and ranked 7th state in the country to achieve 100% sanitation, according to latest survey report presented by Chief Engineer (Sanitation), Itanagar.

As per Base Line Survey, Arunachal has total target of 1, 75,924 Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) out of which 1, 53,266 IHHL have been achieved till 31st March 2017. 

In case of Geo Tagging/Photograph uploading of IHHL, the state ranks 6^th with 52.57% in comparison to national average of 33%. Since 2nd October 2014, 72,179 numbers of toilets have been constructed out of which 37,943 have been Geo tagged and photographs have been uploaded.  Towards achieving Open Defecation Free, it was shown that 1818 number of villages, 490 Gram Panchayats and 5 blocks have declared itself as ODF.

While chairing a departmental review meeting of SBM activities held today, IPR Minister cum Government spokesperson, Bamang Felix urged the department officials to build up the interest of the public to build toilet by themselves even after completion of the mission.

 Felix has announced to initiate “Swachh Jan Andolan” to recognize and award those individuals, NGOs or Organizations who are dedicated towards achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. He also announced to give suitable awards to such individuals or organizations.

While addressing the meeting, Chief Engineer (Sanitation), Toko Jyoti informed that the Ministry has decided to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to make payment directly through online to beneficiary’s bank account.

He also urged the PHE&WS officials to evolve a road map and strategies to achieve ODF by 2018, one year ahead of target year.

While summing up the review, Commissioner PHE, HK Shalla, expressed his satisfaction over the improvement of the performance of the department and suggested to sort out all the issues of IMIS and DBT.

He advised all the officers to work in tandem with missionary zeal so that effective achievement of ODF state could be realized one year ahead of the target period.

Each of the division highlighted their achievements and issues related to implementation of SBM (G) programme through power point presentation. Aadhar card has been made mandatory for beneficiaries by the Ministry. Some beneficiaries do not have Aadhar card and bank account and its creating obstacle in achieving the target and in making online entries. In this regards CE (San) requested the Minister to propose state government for financial help to tackle defunct, unsanitary and additional toilets as Central Ministry has turn down any financial support. 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List