With the stipulated deadline for construction of about 40,000 individual household latrines (IHHLs) remaining under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) fast approaching, the district administration has initiated a multi-pronged strategy to achieve total sanitation and declare the district open defecation free soon.
A little over 18,000 IHHLs were constructed of the total sanctioned units of 63,715 across the district so far this year, sources said.
Khammam district stands ninth in terms of construction of the sanctioned IHHLs under the SBM in the entire State. After implementing a slew of campaigns aimed at eradicating open defecation through behavioural change in all the 21 mandals across the district, the administration has now focused its attention on implementing some tough measures like snapping power supply to the households that failed to construct the IHHLs, as mandated by the rules. The officials concerned have reportedly initiated an action plan to disconnect power supply to a sizeable number of households in Kusumanchi, Raghunadhapalem and Tirumalayapalem mandals in Khammam division, sources added.
In an effort to achieve the goal of total sanitation, the district authorities have constituted special teams headed by the Mandal Parishad Development Officers to sensitise the targeted beneficiaries about the serious effects of open defecation and motivate them to construct IHHLs under the SBM, sources said. The teams have been spearheading a vigorous campaign in the villages by involving all the stakeholders including the elected representatives of the local bodies to ensure construction of the remaining IHHLs so as to completely eradicate the practice of open defecation.
Mission mode
A major thrust has been laid on speedy construction of the remaining IHHLs on a mission mode through timely interventions like ensuring prompt supply of construction material for IHHL units and release of subsidies to the beneficiaries, Khammam Zilla Parishad CEO M. Nagesh told The Hindu.
