Hyderabad: Stressing the need for routing out perennial open defecation problem in rural pockets and towns, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K T Rama Rao asked the district officials to take up on war-footing the construction of 11,000 toilets in villages and 21 municipalities.
At a video conference with Collectors from Secretariat here, the Minister asked the former to complete the task by April next against the previous deadline of June 2. This will help us get more funds from the Centre under Swatch Bharath Abhiyan, he said. The Minster also stated that those municipalities which reach targets in 100 days will get additional incentives from the government. The officials should coordinate with Electricity department to supply 2 LED bulbs Rs 10 each to every household in villages and 25 municipalities. A total number of 2.70 lakh LED bulbs needed for the project to reduce power bills and help get more light in the houses by creating awareness among people, he said. Also to reduce power consumption at rural areas the officials should take steps to fix up third wire on street lights, he said. The MAUD Minister directed the collectors to find 5 to 7 acres of land for dumping yard for scientific waste management. The District officials should ensure that the people were not faced with drinking water problem during Summer and focus on collection of 100 per cent of property tax.(NSS)