State Level Workshop on ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ starts
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27 2019:
A two day State Level Workshop on ODF, ODF+ and ODF++, jointly organised by Manipur Urban Development Agency and Quality Council of India, has started today at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
MAHUD; Commissioner, M Joy Singh and Director, Th Harikumar graced the function as chief guest and president respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, M Joy Singh said that although Manipur was declared a Open Defecation Free (ODF) State, the status is not permanent.
27 urban local bodies of the State were certified by the Quality Council of India as ODF.
However, the status is reviewed every six months or annually for re-certification, he said emphasising the need to maintain the ODF status.
Urban Development Ministry, Government of India is amending the criteria and conditions for ODF status from time to time, he said and explained the various new guidelines to maintain the status and further improve to new heights.
For re-certification, 90 percent of the approved applications for constructing latrine should be implemented and completed.
Most of the Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats have been re-certified, he said and added that for the third round of re-certification, the local bodies should reach 100 percent mark.
Constructing latrines alone can't make the villages clean.
The villages and the local bodies should maintain the community latrines and look after the various other infrastructures and services that will make the villages clean.
Chairpersons, executive officers and representatives of the Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats should visit the sites concerned and inspect for proper implementation and utilization of the schemes, Joy said.
The urban local bodies should work sincerely and secure ODF + and ODF ++ status.
Representatives and authorities of the urban bodies should study and understand the criteria and protocol of these status, he said urging them to learn the various guidelines during the workshop.
The Swacch Bharat Abhiyan's guidelines, prepared by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) defines ODF t as an area where along with regular availability and usage of toilets, management of solid and liquid waste, cleanliness of water resources, maintenance of public and household toilets and awareness on personal hygiene are at their highest.
More than 80 people took part in the workshop.
A book titled "The Manipur Municipalities Act 1994" compiled by Ningthoujam Sanajaoba Singh was also released at the event.