Daijiworld Media Network: Mangalore (SM)

Mangalore, May 2: ‘Nirmala Grama Awards’ will be presented to 44 gram panchayats at a function to be held in New Delhi on Friday May 4.

Dakshina Kannada gram panchayat chief executive officer AM Kunjappa stated in a press release that in the implementation of Sampoorna Swachchata Andolan project, 51 gram panchayats in the district had submitted applications declaring hundred percent achievements.

After verification, 44 gram panchayats were short listed for the Nirmal Gram cash award. Beltangady taluk topped the list with 14 gram panchayats being declared eligible for the award.

The press release stated that under the scheme 8,006 toilets were constructed for people below the poverty line (BPL) and 3,949 toilets for above the poverty line (APL) families. The gram panchayats would receive a total sum of Rs 147 lac as incentive for the successful implementation of the project.

The remaining 159 gram panchayats had set a target to build 8,228 toilets for APL and 25,449 toilets for BPL families for the financial year ending on March 2008, stated the press release.