Himachal Pradesh becomes open defection free state

Himachal Pradesh today became an Open Defecation Free (ODF), the second state in the country to achieve the feat after Sikkim.
Himachal Pradesh has successfully achieved a total rural sanitation coverage of 100 per cent in the state, with all 12 districts in the state being both, declared as well as verified as ODF, according to a official statement.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh made the declaration today at a public event here, where Union Health Minister J P Nadda, and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar were also present.
"The hill state of Himachal has become the first large state to become completely ODF", the CM said.

He congratulated the people of the state for supplementing the efforts of the government to achieve 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and said that "such feat was not possible without the support of the people".
Tomar said, the state achieved ODF status, thanks to people of Himachal Pradesh who made it a public movement and "I am confident would be able to sustain it in the future as well."

Union Health Minister Nadda congratulated the state for achieving the rare feat six months ahead of the target.
Appreciating the massive drive and campaign launched by the state government, he said that the Centre would be sharing the experiences of the Himachal government and the sustainable mechanism adopted by them.

He also wished to launch a joint programme with the state to mitigate water borne diseases in near future.
(REOPENS DEL-76)
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said though Sikkim was the first state to achieve the distinction of becoming ODF, but it was in the small states category.
"We are lucky enough to become second state leaving Kerela behind which was also in the race and I suppose that Kerla would also be declared ODF after four days on 'Kerala Day' on November 1", he added.
"I insisted the Union Rural Development Minister to be with us despite his busy schedule, as I always wanted that our state should be the first amongst the Big states to beODF", Chief Minister said, adding it was also a matter of pride that "we accomplished the feat six months before the targeted date of March 31, 2017."

Virbhadra Singh said that it was Mahatma Gandhi who strongly emphasised on cleanlinessalways and said 'Cleanliness was next to Godliness and Independence' and for him the parameter for cleanliness was the condition of toilets.
The Chief Minister also said Himachal was fully co-operating with the Centre in implementing the centrally aided development programmes and policies.
Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also lauded the efforts of the state government.
"I hope that Himachal will take lead in disposal of Solid and Liquid waste management soon", he said and congratulated the Chief Minister for making Himachal the most progressive state and for community led total sanitation drive adopting bio-digester techniques.

Secretary, Rural Development, Himachal Pradesh Onkar Sharma in his address revealed that all 12 districts, 78 development blocks, 3226 Panchayats and 18,465 villages have been declared ODF.
He said that more focus was given to Information, Education and Communication programmes by the department from September 28 to October 20 to achieve the target of total sanitation and astonishing results were witnessed.
Divisional Commissioners, all the deputy Commissioner and Block Development Officers, field revenue officers and officials were honoured with a citation and a memento for their intensive initiatives for undertaking sanitation drives in their work areas.
Panchayati Raj Training Institute, Thunag in Seraj assembly constituency was also inaugurated at the event through online applications.