One lakh villages in India will become ODF by Oct 2

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: The Union Minister for Rural Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation and Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said that by October 2, this year, one lakh villages will become Open Defecation Free ( ODF) and 40 Districts will achieve the status of ODF districts in the current financial Year.

Addressing a gathering at an event-INDOSAN (INDIA SANITATION CONFERENCE) here, which was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, he said to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014.

Tomar said that the Central Government, State Governments, Municipal bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs, Spiritual and Religious leaders, Public Representatives, Educational Institutions and famous personalities from all walks of life have joined hands together to make India, a Clean India by October 2, 2019, the 50th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, as announced by the Prime Minister. Tomar stressed that Swachh Bharat Mission is a people’s movement and there is need for behavioural change among the people as merely toilet construction will not be sufficient to achieve the ODF status, according to a PIB release.