Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has declared rural West Bengal as open defecation free (ODF) and said that her government will now focus on solid waste management.
Around 1.35 crore households in rural Bengal have been covered by the ‘Mission Nirmal Bangla’, which aimed at making all villages open defecation free (ODF) by October 2.
“I’m happy to share with all of you that rural Bengal is now open defecation free. Government of India has confirmed our achievement which was our mission towards cleaner and greener environment and safe living,” Banerjee tweeted on Friday night.
I’m delighted to announce that rural Bengal is now open defecation free. Here is my Facebook post pic.twitter.com/KDVI2Ea3i3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 2, 2019
“Our next focus will be solid waste management,” she added.
According to economic survey under the Swachh Bharat Mission, “as on May 29, 2019, 5,61,014 villages (93.41%), 2,48,847 gram panchayats (96.20%) 6,091 blocks (88.60%) and 618 districts (88.41%) have been declared ODF.” West Bengal Chief Minister’s announcement adds to this development.