Ministry evolves novel idea to solve sanitary problems in rural areas

Ministry evolves novel idea to solve sanitary problems in rural areas
Newindpress.com


Friday October 14 2005 11:09 IST
HUBLI: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Ministry has come out with a novel idea for solving sanitary problems in rural areas in the State.

If they want to get driving licences they should construct toilets in their houses. When applying for a driving licence a certificate issued by the Secretary of the Gram Panchayat concerned certifying that the applicant has a toilet in his house should also be produced.

To prevent issue of bogus certificate by the GP Secretary, the Ministry has taken measures to scrutinise the certificates.

The Panchayat Raj Department is determined to implement this measure all over the State to make villages free from sanitary problems.

The idea was mooted out by Basavaraj Horatti, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

Sharing his views with this website’s newspaper, he said that he was unhappy with the conditions in most of the villages where toilets are a distant dream.

“All of us have developed the habit of talking about the progress of villages and providing basic facilities, but only a few of us work honestly in this regard,” he said.

He said that it was sad that most of the people particularly women still used the open areas as toilets.

Not only poor, even well to-do families were not aware of the importance of having toilets in their houses, he said.

Any legal hurdles that may come in the way of implementing the concept will be dealt with effectively by seeking suggestions of experts, he added.

Utilising his discretionary power as the District Minister of Haveri, Horatti has implemented the concept here on experimental basis from October 2.

The Deputy Commissioner and Regional Transport Officer of the district have been directed to follow the procedures properly.

RD&PR Ministry is contemplating to implement the concept all over the State in days to come.

A high level meeting of legal experts including officers from RDP, DPR, Law Department and others will be held in Bangalore on October 26 or 27.