Gujarat: Sarpanches vow to keep villages open defecation free

As part of Swachh Bharat Mission, village heads from different states have claimed that their villages are free of open defecation.

Rajesh Nagar, Sarpanch of Simaliya village of Kota district in Rajasthan said that most houses have separate toilets and those which do not have community toilets.

She said that her visit to Ahmedabad as a part of the program is a learning experience and will help in spreading the message of cleanliness. The panchayat comprising of five villages has a system of collection of waste. The village has a population of close to 3,200.

Vinod Ahire, Village Secretary of Aavankhed village in Nashik district of Maharashtra said that in addition to making the village open defecation free, there is a system of segregation of dry and wet waste as well as recycling of plastic.

"We have received the award for all these achievements made under Swachh Bharat Mission. We have a compost plant so we ensure that waste is properly disposed of. There is a plastic manufacturing company nearby which takes all the plastic waste," he said.

Hibhzur Rehman Valibhai represents Kharodiya - Satnagar panchayat in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. He said that his panchayat has also made strides under Swachchh Bharat Mission. All the 3,200 odd residents of the panchayat have access to toilets. The panchayat also exhibits communal harmony.