As many as 17 gram panchayats in seven taluks of the district will be declared open defecation-free under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2.
In addition, seven GPs have been chosen for the Gandhi Gram Puraskar for 2016-17, according to K.V. Rajendra, Chief Executive Officer, Ballari Zilla Panchayat.
All houses, as per the base line survey conducted in 2012, (excluding those not included in the survey and newly added), in these 17 GPs had individual toilets.
The declaration and award presentation will be performed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a function in Bengaluru, Mr. Rajendra said and asked presidents, vice-presidents and panchayat development officers of these respective GPs to be present at the function.
Somasamudra in Ballari taluk, Hyarada in Hadagali taluk, Byasidgeri in Hagari Bommanahalli taluk, Hosur in Hosapete taluk, Shivapur in Kudligi taluk, Devagiri in Sandur and Kudadarahal in Sirguppa taluk are the gram panchayats that will receive the Gandhi Gram Puraskar.
Kolagallu, Korlagundi, Genakihal in Ballari taluk, Hagarnuru in Hadagali, Benakal in Hagari Bommanahalli, Kallahalli No. 10, Muddapur, Malapanagudi, Byluvaddigeri and Hosuru in Hosapete taluk, Gandabommanahalli, Morabad, Jarmali in Kudligi taluk, Bhujanganagar and Devagiri in Sandur taluk and Kudadarhal in Sirguppa taluk, will be declared open defecation-free.
Mr. Rajendra also said that steps were being taken to include the new families in these taluks in the baseline survey so as to help them get individual toilets constructed.
