From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Jul 7: Given the fact that open defecation is rampant in rural parts of Karnataka, the State Government has taken up a massive mission to construct toilets all over the State.

“We are confident of making Karnataka an open-defecation-free State by 2018,’’ he said.

Replying to the demands for grants pertaining to his ministry in the State Legislative Assembly, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said the State had built 13.6 per cent of the country’s latrines in the last 20 months.

The minister said 12 lakh latrines would be constructed in 2015-16.

He urged the Centre not to delay releasing of funds under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan scheme to ensure timely construction of latrines. 

“Just construction of latrines is not enough, we have also take steps to ensure water in villages,” Patil said.

The State Government has set a target for construction for construction of 1.5 lakh for constructing bathroom-cum-toilets for rural households in the current year, he said.

He took exception to the statements made by opposition members on the scheme and said Gourava Yojana would enable even poor people to take bath shower and shampoo bath.

Patil said past governments had neglected rural roads and the present government was doing its best to ensure rural-urban road connectivity, he said.

A sum of Rs 70,000 crore would be required for provide asphalted roads to rural areas.