Arunachal Pradesh Government on Friday celebrated attainment of 100 percent Open Defecation Free (ODF) state under Swacch Bharat Mission (Gramin).
The state attained 100 percent ODF status on December 31 , 2017 as per Base Line Survey (BLS)-2012 under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). With this achievement, Arunachal ranks 7th in the country and second in Northeast after Sikkim to become ODF state.
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Chief Minister Pema Khandu attributed the achievement to the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking at a meeting at Legislative Assembly Complex in Naharlagun Khandu said, “The long strenuous journey particularly because of the difficult and inaccessible terrain and communication bottlenecks could not deter the strong determination of our dedicated SBM team and all stakeholders particularly the villagers, PRI members, GBs, District Administration and elected representatives”.
The achievement is rare given the fact that it came one year and 10 months ahead of national target of October 2 in 2019, Khandu said amidst loud ovation.
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The Chief Minister while congratulating all for the achievement however cautioned the department to maintain sustainability and continuity of the status.
“Herculean task is to maintain the ODF status and not allow ugly head of open defecation to raise its head” Khandu emphatically said.
He called for a sustained effort to do so. “Now that 100 percent ODF has been achieved in Gramin level, the urban area needs also to be declared cent percent ODF,” Khandu said while directing the UD department to put in extra effort to achieve so.
While thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continuous encouragement, the Chief Minister specially mentioned the support rendered by Union Ministry of Water & Sanitation and said that it was for them that the state could accomplish the herculean task.
Khandu also spoke on robust road, rail, air and digital connectivity which is gradually picking up its pace in the state with support of the Central government. He confidently said that with the desired connectivity, unprecedented economic development will pave its way in Arunachal Pradesh.
Earlier Chief Minister Pema Khandu flagged off 22 Bolero vehicles funded under National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme in presence of Health Parliamentary Secretary Phurpa Tsering.