After Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh becomes India's second open defecation free state

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh on Friday became an Open Defecation Free (ODF), the second state in the country to achieve the feat after Sikkim.

Himachal Pradesh has successfully achieved a total rural sanitation coverage of 100 per cent in the state, with all 12 districts in the state being both, declared as well as verified as ODF, according to a official statement.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh made the declaration at a public event here, where Union Health Minister J P Nadda, and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar were also present.

"The hill state of Himachal has become the first large state to become completely ODF", the CM said.

He congratulated the people of the state for supplementing the efforts of the government to achieve 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and said that "such feat was not possible without the support of the people".

Tomar said, the state achieved ODF status, thanks to people of Himachal Pradesh who made it a public movement and "I am confident would be able to sustain it in the future as well."

Union Health Minister Nadda congratulated the state for achieving the rare feat six months ahead of the target. Appreciating the massive drive and campaign launched by the state government, he said that the Centre would be sharing the experiences of the Himachal government and the sustainable mechanism adopted by them.

He also wished to launch a joint programme with the state to mitigate water borne diseases in near future.

The CM added that the state would be very happy to share lessons that they have learnt in this journey with other states to help realise the vision of a Swachh Bharat.