Chandigarh(Press Ki Taquat Bureau) In consonance to the proverb “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ensured individual household sanitation facilities in the rural areas of the state as Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation department has successfully provided 5.75 lakh individual household toilets in all the villages at a cost of Rs. 862.50 crore thereby instilling sense of self-esteem in the people to lead the healthy and dignified life.
Smile on the face of Disha, a resident of Soonk village in SAS Nagar district, tells the tale of a better and hygienic life after getting individual household toilet. She said that her entire family had to face embarrassment when relatives came in to stay at their place. Now, we also have a toilet at home, which increases our self-esteem.
Similarly, Dheerja, a resident of the same village, is also leading a graceful life after getting a toilet at her home and her whole family felt relieved from day to day problems and difficulties as they had to walk to the fields to answer the call of nature. The Rural Sanitation Program has made a significant and positive impact on the lives of people.
Apart from this, as many as 7152 toilets have been constructed in the rural area schools at a cost of Rs. 32.99 crore. 1330 toilets will be constructed in Anganwadi Centres at a cost of Rs.4.66 crore and provision of water supply for sanitation purpose in 467 schools will be arranged at a cost of Rs.5.77 crore. In order to maintain the status of ODF state in 2021, the Water Supply and Sanitation Department has set a target to achieve in solid and liquid waste management in 7 blocks with the help of Rural Development and Panchayat Department under the Swachh Bharat Mission Phase-II.
The department has also released Rs.3.31 crore to 79 Gram Panchayats for management of solid waste and Rs.21.02 crore released to 904 Gram Panchayats for liquid waste management, besides releasing Rs.32.70 crore for the construction of 1557 community sanitary complexes in 1545 villages.
Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Ms. Razia Sultana said that the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government is leaving no stone unturned to provide potable water supply to all the rural households and endow clean environment. Many schemes were also being implemented in Punjab to further improve the living standards of the people.
Press Note no: I/140594/2021
