Be cautious, avoid over-enthusiasm while claiming ODF status:

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today asked officials to adopt a "cautious" approach and avoid "over-enthusiasm" while declaring a panchayat, a block or a district open defecation free.
Addressing a meeting here convened to review development works in Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar and Bhojpur districts, the Chief Minister also directed officials to be "pragmatic" while implementing schemes and take elected representatives from all political parties into confidence.
"Making Bihar open defecation free is our priority and once achieved it will be no mean feat. But there is a need for a cautious approach in claiming ODF status for any panchayat, block or district. Over-enthusiasm must be avoided. If the job is 99 per cent complete in any area, then instead of making a dash for ODF status, attention should be paid to the remaining one per cent", an official release quoted Kumar as saying.

"Elected representatives must also do their bit. If a panchayat declares itself as ODF, they should get the same verified and share their feedback with the administration", the Chief Minister said.
Speaking about his government's resolve to get the remotest localities and villages connected through pucca roads, Kumar said "hindrances that come in the way on account of land disputes should be taken care of by the respective District Magistrates in a pragmatic manner".
"To minimize unrest, officials should take initiative and take all elected representatives, including panchayat mukhiyas, from all political parties, into confidence", the Chief Minister said.
Kumar also stressed on quick and fair disbursement of doles like pensions for widows and the elderly and directed officials to take speedy action whenever anomalies are reported.

The Chief Minister was accompanied, at the review meeting held inside the Collectorate here, by his cabinet colleagues Prem Kumar, Santosh Kumar Nirala, Brajkishore Bind and Vinod Kumar Singh besides Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh and Director General of Police P K Thakur.