Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister today launched “School Sanitation Reward” Scheme. Government Primary and Middle Schools would get Block and District level prizes under the reward scheme. First cash prize would be of Rs.50 thousand at District level along-with commendation certificate and momento at both Primary and Middle level while two prizes would be given at block level. First cash prize would be 20 thousand rupees and 2nd prize would be of Rupees. 10 thousand at block level for both school level.

Speaking on occasion Shri Jai Ram Thakur said that this scheme was initiated to create competitiveness and awareness about sanitation amongst school children. He said that Rs. 62 lac would be spent on this ambitious scheme. He said that Himachal was one of few states where over 90 percent achievement had been made in individual household latrines. He said that children learn from schools and homes and good habits of health & hygiene were inculcated at initial stage.

He said that in Maharashtra Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) was spearheaded by the school children as they compelled their parents to construct toilets at homes as they were using it in schools. He said that TSC was started from District Sirmaur in the year 1999-2000 and now it was being implemented in all the twelve districts of the State.

Shri Thakur said that total plan expenditure of TSC is Rs. 149.62 crore of which Government of India share is 99.48 crore, State share is Rs. 37.70 crore while beneficiary share is Rs. 12.43 crore. He said that Rs. 35.23 crore had been spent till 30th November 2009 under TSC. He said that GOI had fixed the target of making Total Sanitation by the year 2012 but State Government had made it 2010 to declare Himachal a Nirmal State.

He said that Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister had initiated two new schemes namely “Maharishi Balmiki Sampuran Swatchhta Yojna” and “Mahila Mandal Protsahan Yojna” in the year 2008 which geared up the sanitation programme in the state.

Rural Development Minister said that School Sanitation Reward Scheme would be implemented by the Rural Development Department and Education Department while Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP South Asia) would provide the support. He said that State had made steady progress during last few years in sanitation as there was nil Niramal Gram Purskar in 2005 and 22 panchayats had got it in 2006-07 and this figure rose to 245 in the year 2007-08 while it reached to 267 in the year 2008-09.

Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj said that Total Sanitation Reward Scheme would help in achieving the stipulated target of Nirmal State. He said that this scheme would be competitive and best schools would be given prizes at District and Block level in Primary and Middle Schools. He said that for summer closing schools, the period of competition would be 31st December 2009 to 15th April 2010 while for winter closing schools it would be 10th February 2010 to 15th April 2010. He said that prizes would be given on Himachal Day function on 15th April next year.

Shri P.C. Dhiman, Principal Secretary, Education said about 70 percent Government Schools have the toilet facility and he stressed the need of proper utilization. He said that Himachal is a lead state in Education and other Departments like Rural Development and I&PH had helped in providing proper infrastructure in educational institutions.

Shri R.N. Batta, Director Rural Development welcomed and made presentation on “Taking forward Sanitation in HP with the support of School Sanitation”. Shri Robin George, Assistant Director TSC, RD outlined the School Sanitation Reward Scheme. Shri C. Ajitkumar of WSP-SA, Deputy Directors Elementary Education, Project Officer DRDA and other Officers were present on the occasion.