DCM SHRIRAM signs MoU for Kota School sanitation project

DCM Shriram Ltd. under the aegis of DCM Foundation has initiated the "Shriram Swachagrah Project" for improvement of sanitation infrastructure in 1072 Govt. Schools comprising of 777 Primary and 295 Secondary Schools of the entire Kota District. The project is spread over a period of 3 - 4 years and involves total Project expenditure between Rs. 15 - 20 crores.

Pursuant to the above, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation of Kota School Sanitation Project (Shriram Swachagrah, Swachh Vidhyalay Yojana, Kota) was signed on 23rd May, 2018 by Mr. Gaurav Goyal, IAS, District Collector, Kota, Mr. Ramu Meena, District Education Officer (Primary), Ms. Anjilika Palat, District Education Officer (Secondary) and Mr. Vinoo Mehta, President & Business Head - Fertiliser and Cement, DCM Shriram Ltd.

The Project has also received approval from the State Project Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Jaipur, Ms. Anandi, IAS in the month of April, 2018.

The objectives of the Project include achievement of functional toilets, regular use of school toilets, hand-wash before & after meals and using toilets. The objectives also include adoption of sanitation practices by village community in the nearby areas of Govt. Schools & discontinuing open defecation.

The scope of the Project includes improvement of sanitation infrastructure by construction of new toilets & renovation of existing ones in all the Govt. Schools of Kota District along with operation & maintenance of the infrastructure developed as part of the Project. The Foundation shall make additional efforts towards achievement of behavior change of all stakeholders (students, parents, village community) in nearby areas where these schools are located and ensuring appropriate monitoring, evaluation/ impact assessment.

The signing of this MoU kick-starts one of the most ambitious CSR projects undertaken by any Organization towards Swachh Bharat Mission of the Govt. of India, particularly for improving sanitation infrastructure in the Govt. Schools. Also, the scope and extent of the above project is largest in comparison of the other CSR projects undertaken towards improvement of school sanitation in the entire State of Rajasthan.

The District Collector, Mr. Gaurav Goyal emphasised the need of bringing in innovative ideas and measures for improvement of sanitation infrastructure & behavioural changes in the entire community.

Mr. Vinoo Mehta, DCM Shriram Foundation informed, "ShriramSwachagrah" Project is unique and un-precedented as for the first time any organization is taking care not only of the sanitation infrastructure in Govt. Schools but also their operation and maintenance coupled with efforts towards bringing in behaviour changes among the entire village community.

As Gandhi ji initiated the public through a satyagrah we are doing it through a swachagrah for cleanliness, health and hygiene. Shriram Swachagrah will be a project for our "Swachh Vidyalaya Yojana".

DCM Shriram Foundation has been actively involved in supporting social causes and has undertaken number of programs in the fields of education, healthcare and sanitation for the benefit of the community.