By Oct 2019, country to be open defecation-free: Iyer

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 17

“The entire country will be made open defecation-free by October 2019 and Punjab by December 31, 2017,” said Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary to the Government of India for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, during his visit to waterworks at Baliali.

He said a special campaign would be launched to generate awareness about water conservation and rain water harvesting in the country.

He said private water connections in each household and metered supply had ensured judicious use of water.

Iyer also took note of the progress being made in the construction of toilets.

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Kaur Sapra apprised Iyer of 21 villages in the district which were getting round-the-clock water supply. She said a total of 348 villages, including Baliali, had been made open defecation-free and over 13,621 toilets had been constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission.