Villages working towards cleanliness will be awarded: CM   

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to encourage people towards cleanliness, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that villages working towards creation of a ‘clean and healthy’ environment will be awarded.

Addressing ‘Ama Gaon Ama Vikas’ programme through video conference here, Patnaik said keeping the environment clean is essential and directly proportional to economic development of the country. He exhorted participants of 10 districts to take advantage of various welfare programmes to use toilets and motivate others for the same.

Patnaik announced that awards will be given to villages, Panchayats and blocks that have contributed to creation of a clean and healthy society.

Besides, the CM directed officials concerened to meet the deadline of all rural and urban drinking water supply projects by December this year. He said every household in urban areas should be provided with piped drinking water by end of this year.

Attending a review meeting, Patnaik directed the officials to spend minimum Rs 3000 crore per year towards development of drinking water infrastructures in rural areas.