This story is from August 22, 2019

Goa: 14 urban local bodies declare they are open defecation free

Goa’s 14 urban local bodies (ULBs), including the Corporation of the City of Panaji, have declared themselves free of open defecation, but the self-declaration will be verified by an independent agency appointed by the Centre, officials with the department of urban development said here, on Wednesday.
Goa: 14 urban local bodies declare they are open defecation free
PANAJI: Goa’s 14 urban local bodies (ULBs), including the Corporation of the City of Panaji, have declared themselves free of open defecation, but the self-declaration will be verified by an independent agency appointed by the Centre, officials with the department of urban development said here, on Wednesday.
However, sources said that mere declaration that a town or city was open defecation free (ODF) did not mean that people were not defecating in the open.
The directorate of municipal administration published a notice on behalf of the 14 municipal bodies and has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders.
“This is the preliminary declaration based on resolutions passed by the ULBs. It is an ongoing process,” said a government official.
The Narendra Modi-government has set a deadline of October 2 for the entire nation to declare itself open defecation free. Chief minister Pramod Sawant had informed the assembly on August 1 that Goa would become ODF by August 31.
According to the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, the first step is for each ward of the municipal council to be declared as open defecation free, followed by the council resolution. Once the council resolution is passed, the directorate of municipal administration is informed.
Sources said that municipal councils have gone ahead and declared themselves 100% ODF based on the claim that every individual in its jurisdiction has access to a toilet within 500m.
“The third-party audit by the government of India will survey each of the 14 towns and ground-truthing will be done,” an official said.
With time running out, the government appears to be hastening the process of meeting its ODF target. Goa has the lowest ODF coverage in the country at just 11.64%. Odisha, has the second lowest ODF coverage in India, with an ODF coverage of 82.28%.
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