Maharashtra to become Open Defecation Free by March 2018 

Maharashtra is not only aiming for ODF achievement, but also aiming to include handwashing, menstrual hygiene, community toilets etc. as part of Swachh Bharat implementation in the State.

Mumbai, Feb 6: Maharashtra is all set to join the league of states that have become Open Defecation Free (ODF) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. Maharashtra is not only aiming for ODF achievement, but also aiming to include handwashing, menstrual hygiene, community toilets etc. as part of Swachh Bharat implementation in the State. Multiple cleanliness campaigns such as Clean Offices, Clean GPs, and Clean Schools are also underway in different parts of the State

Swadhin Kshatriya, Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, in a meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Parameswaran Iyer, in Mumbai on Monday, conveyed to the Centre that the State will be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by March 2018. Kshatriya also mentioned that Maharashtra is on track to achieve this goal. The Secretary was further informed that the Government of Maharashtra has a strong third party verification system for ODF declarations in the State, with three levels of verification.

The Secretary, in turn, assured the State of full support from the Ministry in their efforts. Under the Zila Swachh Bharat Prerak initiative, a Prerak will be provided at district-level in the State to support SBM(G) activities by the Ministry, in association with the Tata Trusts. The Secretary made a presentation to Chief Managing Directors of all Western Region PSUs in presence of Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, to encourage them to contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission. ALSO READ: Kozhikode declared first open defecation free district in India by Excise Minister

 The presentation was well-received, with many PSUs mentioning initiatives currently undertaken by them, including school sanitation, toilets along highways etc. The Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, stressed at the meeting that the PSUs must train their workers and management trainees as sanitation champions and agents of change.

Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Kerala became the Open Defecation Free (ODF) state in the country while Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Haryana are still in the league to attain the ODF status. All 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh were covered as ODF districts. Kerala became the first high density populated state in the country to achieve Open Defecation Free status with the completion of 1.90 lakh toilets in its 941 village panchayats this November.