Aim to make Karnataka ODF before Oct 2: Parameshwara

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that Karnataka was working hard to become number one Swacch state (clean state) in the country.

"Karnataka should be number one clean state. Karnataka should become open defecation free state before October 2," he said after inaugurating an awareness programme organised by Rural Development Department as part of Swachh Survekshan Grameen- 2018.

"The government has constructed 22 lakh toilets in 20 districts. The construction of 5 lakh toilets in 15 districts is still due. We are working hard to complete the construction works before October 2," he said.

Rural Development Minister Krishna Byregowda said that the state government helping in funding to construct toilets.

"We are also working on keeping drainage clean. We are creating awareness about sanitation in rural areas," he said.

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) undertakes Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018 for national rankings of all districts in the country on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation parameters.

The rankings will be based on a comprehensive set of parameters including data from district-level surveys of public places like schools, anganwadis, PHCs, markets, panchayat and citizen’s perception of sanitation and their recommendations for improvement of the programme.

Awards will be presented to panchayats, taluks and districts registering highest parameters on October 2, 2018.