New Delhi: The Centre is planning to give financial grants to village schools to open sanitation clubs in order to create awareness among students about the health impact of open defecation.
"I have suggested why not give Rs 3000 for nirmal (sanitation) club so that students can realise the importance of clean and green environment," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here.
Addressing a group of liberated manual scavengers during his visit to headquarters of Sulabh, a service organisation, here, he said India stands at third place in terms of economic development but the country has an astounding number of 60 per cent people defecating in the open.
Ramesh, who also holds the portfolio of Drinking Water and Sanitation, urged the political parties to bring issues like safe drinking water and sanitation on the top of their political agenda.
Instead of discussing the politics of caste and religion, "I believe the important issue is toilets," the Minister said.
"I have suggested why not give Rs 3000 for nirmal (sanitation) club so that students can realise the importance of clean and green environment," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said here.
Addressing a group of liberated manual scavengers during his visit to headquarters of Sulabh, a service organisation, here, he said India stands at third place in terms of economic development but the country has an astounding number of 60 per cent people defecating in the open.
Ramesh, who also holds the portfolio of Drinking Water and Sanitation, urged the political parties to bring issues like safe drinking water and sanitation on the top of their political agenda.
Instead of discussing the politics of caste and religion, "I believe the important issue is toilets," the Minister said.
"If you do not increase toilets and use them, what will you achieve by launching satellites," Ramesh asked.
The Minister said that the government is considering to increase the grant of Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 to 8000 for the construction of individual toilets in rural areas.
Indicating 40 per cent increase for sanitation sector in the annual budget this year, he said the Government would focus on the implementation of sanitation related issues at gram panchayat level.
Appreciating the efforts of Sulabh International in the field of Sanitation, Ramesh urged its founder Bindeshwar Pathak to focus on rural areas to achieve the target of total sanitation in the country.
The Minister said that the government is considering to increase the grant of Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 to 8000 for the construction of individual toilets in rural areas.
Indicating 40 per cent increase for sanitation sector in the annual budget this year, he said the Government would focus on the implementation of sanitation related issues at gram panchayat level.
Appreciating the efforts of Sulabh International in the field of Sanitation, Ramesh urged its founder Bindeshwar Pathak to focus on rural areas to achieve the target of total sanitation in the country.
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