The Jammu and Kashmir government has set a 2019 deadline to make the state free from open defecation, minister for rural development Abdul Haq said here today.
"The priority of the government is to make Jammu and Kashmir state free from open defecation by 2019", Haq said while inaugurating a two-day state level workshop on sanitation being organized by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in collaboration with Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India.
While elaborating on the significance of clean and hygienic environment for leading a healthy life, Haq stressed on the need for an attitudinal change among the people who are the major stakeholders in this "noble task".
He further said that the coordinated efforts on the part of government agencies, non-governmental organisations and government involving general masses are keys to achieving the mission of a "clean India" envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Minister said that persistent information, education and communication activities are required to spread awareness among all stakeholders about the personal hygiene besides cleanliness in surroundings.
"The objective of Swachh Bharat Mission is to improve quality of life by promoting hygiene and eliminating open defecation," he added.
Haq noted that the construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs), Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs), Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) System besides other sanitation initiatives on accelerated basis are key features of the mission.
He also spoke about the state-wide mission 'Gaon Jahaan Hamara' launched by the department to supplement the efforts regarding sanitation and planned development of the villages.
Its main objective is to prevent haphazard construction in low lying and landslide prone areas, he added.
