Rural sanitation coverage in Jammu and Kashmir stands at over 98%; set to become ODF next month
Srinagar, August 23: Jammu and Kashmir is now all set to become "Open defecation free" (ODF) state in the next month as the state has shown a phenomenal improvement in its rural sanitation coverage since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) or SBM (G).
The progress of Jammu and Kashmir has been remarkable as from 22% in October 2014, the rural sanitation coverage in the State today stands at over 98% and the State is close to declaring itself Open Defecation Free.
Secretary of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Parameswaran Iyer reviewed the progress of Jammu and Kashmir on Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G) at Srinagar on Wednesday. Following a review with Dy Commissioners of all districts, the State committed to the central team that whole of Jammu and Kashmir will be declared ODF next month.
Chief Secretary of the State BVR Subrahmanyam and other senior officials joined the review. The State is preparing to achieve the milestone a full year ahead of the national target of 2nd October 2019 for a Swachh Bharat. On the occasion, Iyer emphasized on the quality aspects of the Sanitation programme and the need to engage with the community.
Earlier in the day, the Secretary called on the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir NN Vohra and discussed the State's progress in Sanitation and related issues. The Secretary assured the state of complete support of the Government of India in the next phase of ODF including sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management.
Iyer also visited the aspirational district Kupwara near the border and reviewed various parameters including the sanitation progress in villages and interacted with villagers. He also visited a major Water Supply plant in Srinagar.
Nationally, the sanitation coverage has increased from 39% in 2014 to over 90% today, with over 4.2 lakh villages, 429 districts, and 19 States/UTs already declared ODF.
For more details of ODF status, log on to http://sbmodf.in/ or click the below-given link:
