Hyderabad: Panchayat raj and Rural development minister Danasari ‘Seethakka’ Anasuya on Tuesday said there was a need to improve sanitation in rural areas, especially since the rain during the monsoon season adds to the efforts to keep villages clean and healthy. The minister said the just completed ‘Swachadanam-Pachadanam (cleanliness, greenery)’ drive had yielded good results but officials should not let up on their efforts in ensuring hygiene and mosquito eradication measures in villages.
Seethakka, who chaired a meeting to review with district officials of her department expressed dissatisfaction over reports of lack of hygiene in some villages, and sought to know why such reports were circulating especially after the cleanliness drive. She asked officials to be on the alert for deliberate efforts to spread misinformation on the issue, and take action on person who indulge in it.
“In the past, entire villages used to be down with fevers like chikungunya. It is no longer the case now. The government, through a fever survey, is taking steps to prevent the spread of fevers and related illnesses in the villages,” she said.
Seethakka said the government would ensure adequate availability of funds and any shortages would be overcome. “All the special officers posted in gram panchayats must spend at least three hours each day in their jurisdiction taking stock of the conditions and focus on sanitation and cleanliness, and should continue the special drive every month for at least three days,” she said.
