STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, B B Vyas on Thursday Chaired the 4Th meeting of the State Level Apex Committee (SLAC) on Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Finance, Commissioner/ Secretary, H&UDD, Commissioner/secretary, RD&PR, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Director Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir and other senior officers. Deputy Commissioners of all 22 Districts, Director Urban Local Bodies, Jammu and other officers participated in the meeting via video conferencing.
Underscoring the importance of Swachh Bharat, Chief Secretary observed that in the larger societal interest, there is a need to push this programme with full commitment by all the stakeholders. He made a fervent appeal to the DCs to personally monitor the implementation and give impetus to their efforts at the district level.
Chief Secretary directed DCs to ensure that entire State of J&K is made open defecation free by March, 2018 and the district wise targets set for the construction of Individual House Hold Toilets (IHHTs) and Community/Public Toilets (CTs/PTs) also called Janta Toilets are achieved in toto.
As target of 75000 IHHT units and 1662 Janta Toilet seats has been fixed for the year 2017-18, Chief Secretary directed all DCs and Directors of Urban Local Bodies to fix monthly targets for the purpose.
There are four options available for construction of IHHTs viz self-construction by the beneficiary, construction by contractors/agencies, construction by Self Help Groups and construction by NGOs.
The Committee also reviewed the progress of Solid Waste Management (SWM) in the districts. It was informed that 19 clusters have been formed for the scientific disposal of solid waste, covering all the 78 urban towns and capital cities of Jammu & Srinagar.
Out of the 19 clusters, the DPRs of Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Pulwama, Jammu, Udhampur & Katra clusters have been technically appraised. SWM projects of 6 clusters viz Srinagar, Ananatnag, Kulgam, Jammu Udhampur and Katra have been put to tenders and that of remaining 4 clusters, tender document is being finalized and are likely to be floated within a week.
The Committee directed that progress on the Solid Waste Management component be expedited.
The Committee approved the Annual action Plan Proposal for 2017-18 of Rs 97.34 crore for IHHTs component, Rs 27.81 crore for Janta Toilet component, Rs 247.83 crore for Solid Waste Management Component, 11 crore for IEC & Public Awareness component and Rs 5.42 crore for capacity building component.