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Friday, March 29 2024
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Gadag

176 toilets built within 45 days in district

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Gadag: Prema Timmangoudar, the new president of Raddernaganur gram panchayat in Naragund taluk, Gadag district, had pointed out before the elections that there are only 25 of the 200 households in the village with toilets.

She entered the poll fray with only one goal in mind of making Khanapur village free of open defecation and within 45 days of coming to power Prema’s village now has 176 toilets.

Speaking to a daily Prema said, “I contested to make our village free of open defecation. I was elected unopposed. I assumed office on July 3 and started work in two days.”

A woman from the village said, “Till now, my daughters and I had to wait till evening to relieve ourselves. We had to walk for at least 1km. Now, we don’t have to worry as we have a toilet at home.” Before starting the work, Prema met villagers, officials concerned, elected representatives, including the Naragund MLA, and panchayat raj development minister HK Patil, to seek their support. “I initiated the work under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan which provides Rs 12,000 subsidy to each villager to build a toilet at home and Rs 15,000 to SCSTs. Aiming to complete work before Independence Day, I approached a Koppal-based company which manufactures readymade parts for toilets, including roof and base ment,” she said.

However, Prema soon faced a problem. “There was a delay in release of the subsidy amount. Then, I raised Rs 5 lakh from villagers and paid it to the company . The latter provided us materials on the condition that we should clear the dues as early as possible. This project cost Rs 25 lakh,” she said.

Prema then roped in youngsters. “I asked them to help in the construction. As a result, 176 toilets were built within 45 days, and inaugurated on Independence Day. “I will return the money to the villagers when I get funds from the government,” she added.

 

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