Goa to follow NDMC model to become open defecation-free

Goa is looking to follow the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) model to make the state open defecation-free (ODF) by 2017, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Friday.

Parsekar, who met Union minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu during the latter's day-long visit to the state, also told the minister that an action plan is being prepared to put an end to open defecation in the state.

"As a step towards achieving open defecation-free status, it was decided that around 100 sites across Goa would be identified for construction of community or public toilets on the lines of construction of such toilets by the New Delhi Municipal Council in New Delhi," a government spokesperson said.

It was also suggested, according to him, that construction of such toilet blocks under corporate social responsibility (CSR) should be explored.

The spokesperson also said that the vision to make Goa open defecation-free is also in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission, implementation of which is also reviewed by Naidu.

"The state government officers informed regarding the status of the open defecation-free panchayats and municipalities in Goa. Our Chief Minister also told the Union Minister that the government is preparing an action plan to ensure that Goa is cent-per-cent by December 2017," he said.

--IANS

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