GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No IPR (PR) 3/2009                                                     Dated Naharlagun Nov 25, 2009

Press Release No-1249

Governor presents Nirmal Gram Puraskar

Itanagar, Nov. 24: Proper sanitation is a harbinger of good health, better quality of life and a developed and prosperous nation, said Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh while presenting the Nirmal Gram Puraskar for the year 2009 to ten grams at Banquet Hall, on Nov 24 last. Terming Arunachal Pradesh as a veritable heaven on earth and after highlighting on the significant achievements in the field of road communication, health, education etc. in the last sixty years, the Governor pointed, but we are still behind other developed states in indices of social development, especially in rural areas.  Over 70% of rural habitations in the state are still without proper sanitation facilities and nearly 65% without adequate drinking water provision. He further pointed, it is due to the lack of proper awareness, the traditional practices of open defecation are still common in many places. Without access to safe potable drinking water and proper sanitation to the people sustainable development may thus not be possible, he said, reports PRO to Governor.

The Governor said, the State cannot achieve real development, if its people, particularly in rural areas, continue to live in an unhealthy and unclean surroundings lacking in access to safe potable drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, which may thus cause serious impact on the health of the population. Improper disposal of human excreta, consumption of contaminated water, lack of personal hygiene and improper disposal of solid and liquid waste – these have been the major causes of many diseases of which the children, particularly the girls, and women are the most affected ones, he added.

 Gen Singh pointed lack of separate and decent sanitation facilities is one of the reasons for the girls to drop out of school. Women often suffer from lack of privacy and harassment in the absence of house hold toilet facilities. Exhorting all, including the beneficiaries and the community for their active involvement in the Total Sanitation Programme, the Governor called for sanitation revolution. Let us learn from others mistakes and take up the challenge with missionary zeal, he appealed. He also appealed to the media to provide proper coverage of the campaign as their social obligation.

The Governor, who administrated the pledge towards Clean Arunachal Health Arunachal to all on the occasion, congratulated the awardees for their achievement and express his hope that other, will follow.

While congratulating the department for their effort, he said it is one of the few instances, where focus is on the aspects, which have impact in our daily lives and children. Drawing attention to its immense importance, Gen Singh exhorted the officials for expediting the implementation and finishing it before the target date. To drive forward the objective, Gen Singh suggested for distributing sanitation related leaflets to every classroom in the State.

 In his address, Guest of Honour and minister for PHED, Chowna Mein said, the Total Sanitation Programme a national flagship programme and we have to ensure its implementation in correct prospect. Mein proposed for a task force for the purpose. He added, people should be motivated to change their mindset towards cleanliness. Involvement of Deputy Commissioners and Panchayati Raj Institute members are of
paramount importance. Appealing all for the cooperation for the success of the campaign, the PHED minister proposed for State awards to the field officials for the success of the programme.

 Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Aalo East Zilla Parishad member Jomkir Naso said, the award will go a long way as moral boost to the community. It was a Herculeous task to motivate fellow villagers but with it the living standard has improved, he pointed.
The PHED Secretary Er. Tomi Ete, earlier in his welcome address gave an insight view of the whole campaign with the help of PowerPoint presentation. Dwelling at length on the approach to planning and implementation of rural water supply and sanitation programme, he said no sanitation is possible with proper water supply. PHED Chief Engineer Western Zone also spoke on the occasion.

The award ceremony was followed by a workshop, conducted by Dr. S. Kuntiya of Institute of mineral and material technology, Prof A Mazumdar, for Director, All India Institute of Hygeine and Public Health, UK Mishra of Uttaranchal Academy of Administration attended by Deputy Commissioners, PRI members and invitees. Lempia Ayoh Myoli and Lempia Ayoh Myoli-1 grams of Tajang block of Lower Subansir district, Kugi Pomte, Dego, Logumjini and Raglam grams of Along East block of West Siang district, Eraloni gram of Lekang block and Jeko gram of Sunpura block of Lohit district, Dumba gram of Diyun block of Changlang district and Kaimai of Khonsa block of Tirap district received the Nirmal Gram Puraskar this year. In the sidelines of the award ceremony, Community and Capacity development Unit (CCDU) Director, Department of Public Health Engineering, Er. A.N. Singh informed that basic objectives of Nirmal Gram Puraskar (NGP) is To bring the topic of sanitation to the forefront of social and political development discourse in rural India and to develop open defecation free and clean villages which will act as models for others to emulate. It also aims to give incentive to PRIs to sustain the initiatives taken by them to eliminate the practice of open defecation from their respective geographical area by way of full sanitation coverage and to increase social mobilization in TSC implementation, by recognizing the catalytic role played by organizations in attaining universal sanitation coverage. On the eligible criteria for the NGP, CCDU Director said, all households in the gram must have access to individual toilets or community complexes. All Schools and Anganwadis must have functional and clean toilets & urinals. All co-educational schools above primary level must have separate urinals and toilet blocks for boys and girls. The toilets and urinals should be available separately for boys and girls in adequate proportion. There must be complete elimination of open defecation within the boundaries of the PRI. All water sources to have proper platforms and drainages around them. There must be functional mechanism for household garbage disposal and functional drainage system, he added.

sd/- O.TAYENG, APRO