MADIKERI: A total sanitation programme for Kodagu district with an outlay of Rs. 4.85 crores to sensitise people in rural areas on maintaining clean environs, provide them with health education and sanitation, has been approved.

A major portion of the programme is being funded by the Centre, while the State Government will chip in its contribution as also the beneficiaries, in varying ratios.

Initially, the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat had submitted a proposal seeking approval for Rs. 7.42 crores for the programme, of which Rs. 4.85 crores is sanctioned. Of the approved sum, the Centre's contribution is Rs. 3.20 crores, while the State Government's share is Rs. 96.25 lakhs. Beneficiaries will contribute Rs. 68.18 lakhs.

The programme is being envisaged by the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission of the Centre. Its implementation will start this year and completed in four years. Under certain heads, the Centre will contribute the entire amount while in some others, the State Government and the beneficiaries will have to pool resources.

A sum of Rs. 20 lakhs will be spent on preliminary survey of the villages, publicity to the programme and other ways needed to take the project to the people. This amount will be entirely borne by the Centre.

An amount of Rs. 53.55 lakhs is earmarked for providing information, education and launching campaigns as part of motivating the people and create awareness.

Rural sanitary marts will be set up in villages for the benefit of buyers, who are the beneficiaries. Nine such marts are proposed, three in each taluk, at a cost of Rs. 3.5 lakhs each.

However, when it comes to the construction of individual toilets in rural areas, the beneficiary needs to chip in his contribution.

As many as 20,610 individual toilets are proposed to be constructed under this head. The beneficiaries will get Rs. 625 as motivational sum. As many as 18,971 individual toilets are also proposed to be constructed for the above poverty line category people in the district.

A sum of Rs. 5,000 each would be given to construct toilets in 260 anganawadi centres at a total cost of Rs. 13 lakhs.

As many as 98 sanitary complexes are planned to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 20,000 each, for which Rs. 1.96 crore is earmarked.

A sum of Rs. 19.20 lakhs is set apart for taking up school sanitation programmes such as education on cleanliness and health. A sum of Rs. 23.10 lakh is being earmarked for administrative expenses.

The programme is aimed at putting an end to carrying night soil and avoiding defecation in open places. Experts would train the officials in the gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and the zilla panchayat, apart from selected teachers from primary and high schools and anganwadi workers as resource persons, who in turn, would train the villagers in maintaining total sanitation.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail