Five towns each in Telangana, Maharashtra declared Open Defecation Free

The urban development ministry has certified 10 towns - five each in Maharashtra and Telangana - as Open Defecation Free (ODF). The 10 towns are the first to be certified as the ministry begins the process of third party verification under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). The towns certified include Kagal, Panchgani, Vengurla, Murgud and Panhala in Maharashtra and Siddipet, Shadnaga, Suryapet, Achampet and Huzurnagar in Telangana.

Official sources said the Ministry has got ODF claims of 11 towns independently verified by the Quality Council of India and certified the claims of ten of them as per the protocol evolved for such certification. The claim of Bhongir in Telangana will be reassessed. A ward or city can be



notified as ODF if, at any point of the day, not a single person is found to be defecating in the open. 

Yesterdy Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu has asked his officials to ensure effective follow up action with States for realizing the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission. An official release said, Mr Naidu yesterday reviewed the progress of the Mission in urban areas. Mr Naidu said that a total of 141 towns in seven states have claimed to have become Open Defecation Free including 100 in Maharashtra and these claims are under verification. The Ministry said, as per the reports received from States so far, a total of 974 cities and towns will eliminate Open Defecation next year.