DC warns errant officers against taking SBM project lightly

Following the anomalies involved in construction of toilets under the ambitious Swachchh Bharat Mission- Gramin (SBM-G), DC Ranchi Rai Mahimapat Ray on Sunday instructed the Block Development Officers (BDOs), Circle Officers (COs)  to increase the photo uploading rate up to 80 percent or else get ready to face the music.

Photo uploading rate is one parameter that gives a clear intimation of the tasks taken up in reality elucidating the ground status. Ranchi DC along with other senior officials reviewed the status of toilets construction so far achieved by the blocks of the State Capital to attain the coveted Open Defecation Free (ODF) tag.

According to the State government’s proposed deadline, all 24 districts of the State must achieve the target given under SBM by June 30, 2018. Ray during the meeting assured that fund crunch issue will be addressed through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support.

However, all claims made in the past by the officials here is mere an eyewash as the report presented by the officials concerned hints an alarming situation. None of the 18 blocks during the review meet stood in a category where the status of toilets construction can be termed good or even satisfied.

Taking into account baseline figures, photo uploading rate, SBM-Management Information System (MIS), target identified and achieved, Self Help Groups (SHGs) tagged with each block; initiatives by social mobilisers including self construction status where a support of Rs 12 thousand is given to beneficiaries, none of the officer-in-charges were able to cite valid reasons for delay in toilet construction.

Notably, ever since the launch of SBM project here, out of 18 blocks only three blocks Nagri, Khalari and Itki have been declared ODF. Yet, verifications at different levels are yet to be done for declaring it a complete ODF block under the defined factors.

According to the detailed report of Ranchi East Division, the performance of Bundu district is worst in the State. Besides facing several technical glitches, it is far behind in toilets construction task in comparison to other blocks. With 46 percent photo upload rate figure, the officials have failed immensely in achieving the daily target. On an average, 50 toilets must be constructed to achieve the target but only 30 toilets are being constructed here on per day basis.

Similarly, Rahe block is the worst performer in the indicator list of the Capital City with merely 34 percent photo upload rate. Around 4670 toilets must be built up in the block to gain the ODF tag. Meanwhile, Silli block counted in one of the prosperous blocks of Ranchi, there too only 40 percent photos have been uploaded by the officials.

Status of Angara block is also taxing with just 23 toilets being constructed per day out of the identified target. The work of toilet construction in Sursu and Tati panchayats falling under the jurisdiction of Angara block is the lowest in comparison to other 19 panchayats here. Ormanjhi block has attained 73 percent success rate in photo uploading. Yet, this particular block have to buck up and complete the construction of toilets in a massive number.

Sonahatu and Tamar blocks state a similar tale of laidback approach involved in toilets construction. Sonahatu with 2956 toilets construction target registers merely 47 percent photo upload rate while Tamar that covers 23 blocks has 52 percent photo upload rate. Ranchi West that includes Bero, Namkum and other blocks as well as other zones also presented a gloomy picture of this ambitious scheme shattering the dream of achieving the target in June 2018.

Annoyed with the approach of officers during the review meeting, Ray instructed them to evaluate the status of SBM at their respective blocks daily. Also, emphasis was given on creating awareness through Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns, launch of toll-free numbers, construction of Panchayat Bhawans. Meanwhile, acting sternly, Ray also issued show cause notices to all absentee officers. A weekly report card of BDOs, COs will be also prepared now to analyse their tasks.