District Collector P. Bala Kiran has called for panchayat-level comprehensive projects for pre-monsoon sanitation activities in the district.
Inaugurating the district-level sanitation workshop at the Collectorate here on Wednesday, Mr. Kiran said that many panchayats in the district were not effectively utilising funds for ward-level sanitation activities. The panchayats should take up projects for waste disposal, cleaning of ponds and ditches and clearing of waterlogged areas, he said.
The pre-monsoon cleanliness drive will begin on May 27 and continue till June-end. Local body-level workshops on sanitation campaign will be held by May 13. It will be followed by formation of ward-level sanitation teams and squads and preparation of proposals. These ward-level proposals will be included in a comprehensive sanitation action plan in panchayats. The panchayats will be allocated funds for cleanliness drive at the rate of Rs. 25,000 in each ward. While the Sanitation Mission and the National Health Mission will release Rs. 10,000 each for ward-level activities, the panchayat will allocate Rs. 5,000 from its own fund.
Representatives of the panchayats who attended the workshop were directed to submit utilisation certificates of the funds released for sanitation activities sanctioned last year.
Poverty Alleviation Project Director K.M. Sasidharan presided over the workshop. Assistant Development Commissioner (General) K.P. Joseph was also present.
