A state-wide baseline survey has been launched to find out the sanitation requirements of citizens
Executive director of Suchitwa Mission K. Vasuki told DC that the state is in the last leg to attain the Open Defecation Free status
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre aims at making India Open Defecation-Free by 2019, however, Kerala is all set to grab the coveted status by 2016. However, growing migrant population is a major challenge before the authorities.
A state-wide baseline survey has been launched to find out the sanitation requirements of the citizens. Official sources say that almost 95 per cent of the households in the state have toilet facilities. According to statistics, only 1.5 lakh households don't have toilet facility.
Executive director of Suchitwa Mission K. Vasuki told DC that the state is in the last leg to attain the Open Defecation Free status.
"We would be able to declare the state Open Defecation-Free by 2016. There are certain key areas in the state which need attention. Coastal belt, tribal settlements and migrant settlements are three prime areas that require attention," added Vasuki.
She said that a campaign would be launched once the base-line survey is completed. "Currently, there is a slowdown due to upcoming local poll. Urban and local bodies have a key role to play and the campaign would be launched as soon as new councils take charge," said Vasuki.
The prime objective set by Suchitwa Mission - the nodal agency for the implementation of Swachh Bharat scheme - to launch campaign at educational institutions.
"We want to educate the younger generation and once the survey is completed, we would know the problem areas. Campaigns would be launched at anganwadis, schools and other educational institutions," said an official.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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