IANS
GANGTOK, FEBRUARY 9
In a country ranked poorly on the health and environment front, Sikkim has done remarkably well to become India's first state with 100 percent sanitation coverage, according to a report of the drinking water and sanitation ministry. Sikkim, one of the eight northeastern states nestled prettily in the eastern Himalayas, ranked first among the 28 states and seven union territories in terms of sanitation coverage for both urban and rural areas in households, schools, sanitary complexes and Aanganwadi centres.
Sikkim now has been ranked first in the country in implementation of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan. With only 610,577 residents (2011 census), Sikkim is India's least populated and second smallest state in area after Goa.
"The state has also sensitized people to adopt a holistic approach to improve sanitation and hygiene for a clean environment while accelerating overall development in the state," the Sikkim government said in a statement.
The state has constructed 98043 individual household latrines against a target of 87014 IHHL Individual household latrines so far till February 2014, achieving 112.67 per cent of the target under the scheme.
About 61493 individual household latrines (IHHL) or 119.86 per cent has been constructed for BPL families against a target of 51302 IHHL.
About 36550 IHHL have been constructed for APL families, which is 102.35 per cent of the target.
A total of 1772 schools have been covered under sanitation programme as against a target of 1604 schools. About 1105 sanitary complexes have been constructed as against a target of 789 (140.05 per cent).
About 516 Anganwadi toilets were constructed in the state as against a target of 340 (151.76 per cent).
The state received Rs.3323.02 lakhs under the scheme out of which it utilized Rs.3296.28 lakh (99.20 per cent) till February 2014.
The state received Rs. 1515.23 lakh central share out of which Rs.1492.90 lakh (98.53 per cent) amount has been utilized.
According to a total evaluation study conducted by the Planning Commission in 2013, Sikkim emerged with the best performing gram panchayats and maintenance of sanitation facilities.
Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling launched a community-led total sanitation campaign in 1999 for achieving full sanitation in the 7,096 sq km area of the state. So far, 163 pachayats have received Nirmal Gram Puruskars for developing sufficient sanitation facilities of adequate quality.
And, to encourage sanitation activities, the state government has instituted a "Nirmal Gram Puraskar" (Clean village award).
Former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil conferred the Nirmal Rajya Award on Sikkim Chief Minister Chamling on December 8, 2008 for successful implementation of a demand-driven and people-centered sanitation programme.
According to a total evaluation study conducted by Planning Commission, Sikkim was declared the best state in the country on the basis of best performing gram panchayats.
