Sonepur: The district administration has decided to extend the deadline to completely do way with open defecation in the district. Earlier, the deadline was June 30 and the revised the deadline is July 25.

Under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Abhijaan Sonepur, district collector Dasarathi Satapathy held a co-ordination meeting of various departments of the district on Monday to direct the officials to complete the task by July 25.

The district administration decided to extend the deadline as the work on the construction of toilets suffered due to non-cooperation on the parts of the officials and beneficiaries.

The district collector said stern action would be taken against whose officials who failed to deliver on the project within the stipulated deadline.

A source said even today 43, 916 families in the district have no toilets in their homes. Earlier, the administration had conducted a massive drive to eradicate open defecation. The officials and workers at the grassroots-level were sensitised. The beneficiaries were asked to co-operate to make the mission successful.

Satapathy said officials of different departments, including agriculture, education, the CDPOs and angawadi workers had consented to cooperate for the projects.

"But at the grassroots-level neither the officials nor the people's representatives cooperated as a result the mission suffered. The beneficiaries also didn't show any interest to construct the toilets even after getting the work order," Satapathy said.

The collector said even after the setback the administration was keen to complete the work by the new deadline. "Birmaharajpur and Sonepur blocks will be open defecation free by July 7. The other four blocks- Tarabha, Binika, Dunguripali and Ulunda - will achieve the goal by July 25," he said.

Under the Swachh Bharat Abhijaan, a total of 1,35,781 toilets was to be constructed in the district, out of which 91, 706 have been constructed. Each beneficiary is given Rs 12,000 for construction of the toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhijan.

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