Govt to verify 'Open-Defecation Free' claims of cities, towns

With 141 towns in seven states claiming to be 'Open-Defecation Free' and 974 to become so by next year, Urban Development Ministry has initiated a process of third party verification of such claims under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
"The Ministry has got ODF claims of 11 towns independently verified by the Quality Council of India and certified the claims of ten of them as per the protocol evolved for such certification," an official release said.
While five towns each in Maharashtra and Telangana have been certified as ODF, the claims of Bhongir in Telangana will be reassessed, it added.
As many as 141 towns in seven states have claimed to have become ODF, including 100 in Maharashtra. These claims are under verification.

Meanwhile, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, who took a review meeting, asked officials to ensure "effective follow up action" with states for realising the objectives of the Mission.
As per the reports received from states so far in the Ministry, 974 cities and towns will become ODF next year.