In a bid to make Tamil Nadu open-defecation free state and to create hygienic villages, chief minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday hiked the state government’s contribution from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 for constructing individual household latrines under the total sanitation campaign scheme.
Making a statement under the rule 110 in the Assembly, she said the decision had been taken after getting several petitions to increase the amount allotted for constructing the toilets as the existing amount of Rs 3,500, comprising Centre’s share of Rs 2,200 and state’s share of Rs 1, 000 besides beneficiaries share of Rs 300, was not suffice to carry out the construction.
“To fulfill their demand, I have ordered to increase the state’s contribution to the scheme by Rs 1,500, enhancing the share from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500, while the contribution of Centre (Rs 2,200) and the beneficiaries (Rs 300) will remain the same,” she said. “This move will create hygienic villages across the state.”
Ms Jayalalithaa said the scheme – Hygienic Village — was being successfully implemented in several villages to achieve the ‘Cleaner Village’ goal during her previous tenure in 2003 which envisaged several visions including curbing open defecation, solid waste management, and hygiene in schools.
She also recalled that several villages were awarded for attaining the status. The scheme was shelved for unknown reasons during the successive DMK regime.
“I have also ordered to revive the scheme soon after assuming office and also ordered renovation of 12,793 integrated sanitary complexes for women at the cost of Rs 170 crore,” she said.