Centre sanctions Rs 101 crore for sanitation project in HP

Shimla, Sept 3 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Rural Development Minister Sat Mahajan said projects worth Rs 101 crore have been sanctioned by the centre for the state, which would also contribute a matching share, under the total sanitation campaign guidelines.

Reviewing the performance of total sanitation campaign here, he said Kangra had received the highest allocation of Rs 16.28 crore followed by Rs 14.95 crore for Mandi district.

Mr Mahajan emphasised the need for sustained campaign on education and the importance of propagating the state-level award scheme for panchayats wherein the best panchayats at the state level would be given an award of Rs 10 lakh followed by winners of divisional, district and block panchayats who would be eligible for an award of Rs five lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs one lakh respectively.

He also directed the department to discourage the practice of open defecation and highlight the dangers posed by such defecation to water sources and environment .

Emphasis should not be on physical targets but should be on attitudinal and behavioural change so that the advantages of toilet use in terms of health related goals, conveniences, cleanliness were emphasised, he said.

He also exhorted the department to ensure that regular contact programmes with the panchayats should be maintained and zonal level meetings with Deputy Commissioners, DPOs, DRDA officials and LSEOs held .

UNI