DHARWAD: The state government has resolved to make Karnataka an open defecation-free state by 2018, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said.
At the launch of an open defecation-free village programme and the 10th anniversary of Gurubasava Mahamane Mutt at Managundi village in Dharwad taluk, Patil said it would be a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. It has been planned to launch a campaign to make 100 villages free from open defecation on Republic Day, Patil said.
He appreciated the work done by Gurubasava Mahamane Mutt in this regard.
Pure drinking water units will be set up in all villages to prevent diseases like gastroenteritis among others, which claim the lives of hundreds of infants every day in the country, the minister said.
Managundi Basavananda Swami has selected six villages — Kanavihonnapur, Mansur, Belligatti, Nayakanhoolikatti, Managundi and Hirekopp — to free them from open defecation, he said. He added that `12,000 will be released for its village towards toilet construction.
Siddhabasava Kabir Swami of Chigarahalli in Kalaburagi district, Sanganabasava Swami of Gokak and Sugunatai of Managundi, Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, MP Prahlad Joshi, MLC Basavaraj Horatti and MLA NH Konareddy were present on the occasion.