KOCHI: Kochi Corporation and other municipalities in the district have been asked to complete the implementation of the total sanitation scheme and to make the areas open defecation free by March 31. A review meeting, chaired by education minister C. Raveendranath, who is in-charge of Ernakulm district, has asked to conduct a second survey to identify more beneficiaries and complete their list at the earliest.
Employers in Perumbavoor have been asked to ensure toilet facilities at their migrant labour camps. As many as 100 applications were received from Perumbavoor and 84 toilets have already been constructed. In Kochi Corporation, 1,950 beneficiaries have been identified. But more than 3,000 applications were received after the list was prepared, said Corporation secretary A.S. Anuja.
The minister asked representatives of civic bodies to find out genuine beneficiaries through proper survey. Though only Rs 15,400 is allocated for constructing a single toilet unit, local bodies can spend additional amount, if needed, from their own funds. The amount will be reimbursed by the state government, the minister said. Hibi Eden MLA, additional district magistrate C.K Prakash, Suchitwa Mission district coordinator Siju Thomas and officials of various departments also attended.
