Town Planner bats for public toilets
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 27 2016 :
Town Planning Department's Chief Town Planner N Gitkumar has highlighted the need to construct more public toilets at suitable public places.
He was speaking at a one-day discussion programme on "Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Housing for All by 2012 and Open Defecation Free Cities" held today at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound here.
Gitkumar said that more public toilets can be constructed if suitable sites are available by sharing the costs between Municipal Councils and the Planning Department at the ratio of 50:50 .
Households which do not have sanitary latrines may apply for the same and they would be given a grant of Rs 8400 each for construction of sanitary latrines.
For people living within Jiribam Municipal Council, the grant given to applicants is Rs 8800 each.
For the State of Manipur, Thoubal, Kakching, Lilong (Thoubal), Mayang Imphal, Moirang, Ningthoukhong, Bishnupur, Kakching Khunou, Yairipok, Kumbi, Wangoi, Kwakta, Wangjing, Lamding, Sikhong Sekmai, Sugnu, Lamlai, Samurou, Thongkhong Laxmi, Lilong (Imphal West), Andro, Lamsang, Oinam, Sekmai and Heirok would be declared open defecation free by September and the places which excel would be given cash rewards, Gitkumar said.
The wards which won the first, second and third positions would be rewarded with Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively.
Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Government of India has set a target of constructing houses for all homeless people and sanitary latrines who do not have this facility by 2022.People of the State living in Municipal areas who do not have their own houses and sanitary latrines will get loans and grants from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
With the primary objective of implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana effectively in the State, Ward Development Committees comprising of Ward Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons, Councillors and Members have been set up.
Gitkumar then asked the Ward Development Committees to carry surveys, formulate annual implementation plan and detail project reports, and to submit the same to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons, Councillors and Members of Thoubal, Kakching, Lilong (Thoubal), Mayang Imphal, Moirang, Ningthoukhong, Bishnupur, Kakching Khunou, Yairipok, Kumbi, Wangoi, Kwakta, Wangjing, Lamding, Sikhong Sekmai, Sugnu, Lamlai, Samurou, Thokhong Laxmi, Lilong (Imphal West), Andro, Lamsang, Oinam, Sekmai and Heirok Municipal Councils took part in the discussion programme.