STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Union Cabinet Secretary, Pradeep Kumar Sinha on Monday reviewed the progress of the flagship Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Gramin programme via video conference with Chief Secretaries of various States. Secretary, Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, ParameswaranIyer was also present.
J&K, Chief Secretary, B.B Vyas also participated in the video conference and informed the Union Cabinet Secretary that in keeping with the directions issued by the Prime Minister during his review meeting on March 13, 2018, J&K has made sustained efforts to keep up the pace and achieve the targets set for it.
During the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, a target of 36 Lakh toilets was set for four states to be achieved by April, 10, 2018. This included 15 Lakh each for UP and Bihar, 5 Lakh for Odisha and 1 Lakh for J&K.
The Union Secretary informed that J&K has constructed over 1.22 Lakh toilets in the last couple of weeks and has already achieved its target of one Lakh for the period i.e between March 13 and April, 10, 2018.
He also presented to-date status of the progress achieved in other states like UP, Odisha and Bihar, since the March 13, 2018.
Chief Secretary informed that J&K has achieved 60% coverage in construction of Individual House Hold Latrines (IHHLs) and 72% coverage in geo-tagging of assets.
He said sustained efforts are being made to cover the remaining 5.6 lakh toilets, for which a detailed month wise road map has been prepared and targets have been fixed for each district.
He assured the Union Cabinet Secretary that that the fixed targets will be achieved in prescribed time.