Imphal, February 01 2010: Implementation of the Central Rural Sanitation Programme envisaged and launched by the Centre to provide proper sanitation to rural people including construction of individual household latrines has been severely hampered by undue disturbances from several quarters.

The programme was launched in 1986 with an objective to raise the living condition of rural people and also to enable women keep their privacy and dignity.

An official source said that the programme was implemented in Manipur for the first time in Imphal West district in 2001.In its initial phase, 20608 families belonging to BPL were selected for construction of the same number of individual household latrines.

Each beneficiary BPL family would produce only Rs 3000 to build a household latrine as the remaining amount would be borne by the State and Central Governments.

Out of 20608 families selected, only 2348 latrines have been constructed under the scheme so far.

As per official records, the total number of BPL families in the State is 1,94,887.The scheme aims at constructing one household latrines for each of the BPL families.

Out of the targeted 1,94,887 household latrines, 12,152 would be constructed in Bishnupur district, 17,610 in Chandel, 33864 in Churachandpur, 13189 in Imphal East, 20608 in Imphal West, 47968 in Senapati, 13380 in Tamenglong, 23264 in Thoubal and 12852 in Ukhrul district.

According to reports received till January 21, 3860 latrines have been constructed in Bishnupur district, 300 in Chandel, 1278 in Churachandpur, 1448 in Imphal East, 2348 in Imphal West, 963 in Senapati, 28 in Tamenglong, 958 in Thoubal and 330 in Ukhrul district, conveyed the source.

In total, only 11513 household latrines have been constructed in the last 8 years as against the target of 194887 .

One main factor for the sluggish pace of implementing the scheme is disturbances caused by different sections and the time consumed in talking things over in order to remove the disturbances.

This also caused delay in securing necessary sanction.

For Bishnupur, Imphal East and Thoubal, the first sanction of the scheme was made in March 2003 .

After that, no further sanction could be made till date.

The first sanction for Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati and Tamenglong districts were made in August 2007 .

For Imphal West, the first sanction was made in March 2001 whereas for Ukhrul district the first instalment of fund was sanctioned in July 2006.No further sanction can be made for any of the districts till date, informed the source.

In addition to BPL families, necessary works have been already initiated to build 68367 household latrines for APL families of the State under the CRSP.

However, there would be no assistance for construction of household latrines for APL families.

So far, 8962 latrines have been constructed for APL families out of 68367 latrines targeted under the scheme.

Despite the disturbances, efforts are being made to secure further sanctions with the objective to construct household latrines for all BPL families by 2012, added the source.

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