Fine for Open Defecation in Birimkela Village of Chhattisgarh

 Fine for Open Defecation in Birimkela Village of Chhattisgarh 

Birimkela is a village in Batauli tehsil of Surguja district of Chhattisgarh state India. It is located  23 km away from sub-district headquarter Batouli of Surguja district and 53 km away from district headquarter Ambikapur. There are about 281 houses in the village .

This village is not an ordinary village. A fine of Rs 500 is imposed on the person who defecates in open.  'Swachhata Dal' has been formed which does surveillance for keeping the village neat and clean. The villages of Chhattisgarh are fast becoming ODF (Open Defecation Free) village.

Image Courtesy: pmindia.gov.in

People are becoming aware of ODF  and  taking every step for regular and permanent sanitation and cleanliness  on their own. It is pointed out that it was not easy to stop the tradition of  open defecation coming down from generations. But after the call of "Swachha Bharat Mission" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Birimkela panchayat took resolution for making the village open defecation free.

Image Courtesy: india.gov.in

To give swiftness to this scheme, a Swachhata Dal of 12 people was formed with six women and six men.  To give a separate identity to the group, blue dress has been given to every member. If any villager  defecates in open he is warned with whistle-blowing. There is a provision of Rs 500 fine by the panchayat for anyone doing open defecation. The fine is deposited in swachhata fund of panchayat.

Awareness among the villagers and efforts of the panchayat have helped in making the village Open Defecation Free. But it is essential to  keep continuous supervision and vigil in the village for keeping it neat and clean.