Imphal, January 15 2010: The prestigious Nirmal Gram Puruskar (for 2009) instituted under Total Sanitation Campaign has been conferred to Utlou Gram Panchayat.

Utlou Gram Panchayat of Bishnupur district was selected for the prestigious award by the Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Drinking Water Supply.

The award was handed over to Pradhan of Utlou GP Laishram Rishikanta by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in a solemn function held at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex today.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs two lakhs and a citation.

The cash prize may vary from Rs 50,000 to Rs five lakhs according to the population of the particular Gram Panchayats.

Speaking as chief guest at the award distribution function, Chief Minister O Ibobi exulted on learning that sanitary latrines have been constructed in each and every household under Utlou GP.

Saying that around one million children are dying everyday around the world due to poor hygiene and sanitary latrines, Ibobi asserted that the State Government consider the Total Sanitation Campaign as one of the most important programmes.

The Government of India is targeting construction of sanitary latrines in all schools and Anganwadi centres across the country by March this year.

The next target is set for 2012 and targeted groups are all APL and BPL families, Ibobi said.

He appealed to all organisations not to put any hindrance in the Government's efforts to provide sanitary low cost latrines to BPL families.

To accomplish the campaign to its full target, the State's share of fund would be set aside after earmarking the necessary amount in the State budget, the Chief Minister said.

Questioning why sanitary latrines cannot be constructed for all deserving households when the same have been already accomplished in Utlou Gram Panchayat, Ibobi exhorted the people to work collectively towards this end so that at least 75 per cent of the deserving households are covered by 2012, even if 100 per cent cannot be achieved.

Among Northeastern States, Sikkim has already covered 100 per cent of their targets.

Ibobi attributed this achievement of Sikkim to the peaceful atmosphere prevailing there.

In his presidential speech, PHE Minister TN Haokip said that only Gram Panchayats can bring healthy environment in rural areas by building sanitary latrines for each and every household.

Saying that MLAs too may involve themselves in the campaign, he proposed that there be sanitary latrines in every household of both the valley and hills.

TN Haokip observed that even as it has been 60 years since the country won independence, a large number of families still do not have sanitary latrines.

During the function, prizes were also distributed to the winners of the State level essay competition held on last year's topic 'Sanitation is more important than independence' The prize distribution function was also attended by former Union Minister Th Chaoba, officials of PHED and Pradhans.

A book produced by Communication and Capacity Development Unit and titled 'A Concept for Rain Water Management and Water Security in Manipur' was also released by the Chief Minister.

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