121 Village Panchayats gets Nirmal Gram Puraskar

Bangalore, May 4 (UNI) Setting a trend towards improving sanitation in villages, 121 Gram Panchayats in Karnataka have won the National Nirmal Gram Puraskar, under Union Government sponsored Total Sanitation campaign.

The award was received by Minister for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation S A Ravindranath from President A P J Abdul Kalam in New Delhi today. The Minister was accompanied by the Gram Panchayat Presidents.

The Panchayats got Rs 50,000 to Rs five lakh based on population and the State raked in Rs 3.79 crore which will be again invested in sanitation work in villages, an official release said here.

The award was given for Gram Panchayats ensuring accessibility of toilets for all, including child friendly toilets in schools. Best methods of solid and liquid waste management, and availability of drinking water in all villages.

UNI