Rural Development Minister H K Patil said, a target had been set to free Karnataka of open defecation by 2018.

He launched a special drive under Nirmala Bharat by inaugurating a toilet at Keelara, near Mandya, on Monday. He said, the government hoped to construct 10 lakh toilets this year and this target could be achieved if one lakh of them were constructed in Mandya district.

“Under Gaurava scheme, the government plans to construct one lakh units, which would comprise of bathrooms as well as toilets. To make toilets user-friendly for senior citizens and physically handicapped persons, western commodes will be fitted in toilets, wherever necessary,” he said.

Drawing a comparison between south and north Karnataka, Patil said, the southern districts were lagging behind in implementation of various government programmes and schemes.

Directing the officials to lay stress on implementing the programmes, he said, even people demanded only roads and bhavans here. “They do not care to seek grants for playgrounds, drying yards, toilets, etc.”MP C S Puttaraju said, some shameful incidents had occurred in the district due to the lack of toilets, so people should take the issue seriously and make use of the scheme judiciously.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Mandya, July 08th, 2014